G G(o) let yo)r boys play o)tside. to cr)&ble.or the night all those poor =ispanics 1ere e$ec)ted o)tside of to1nor years ago 1hen o)r ci2iliEation began . B)t ? a& 1riting this acco)nt. ? donFt tr)st it.G G?ye.Padre.? told D)cinda *orales.that ? 1as going to call on the Blain residence.trying not to think abo)t taking a drink so early in the day.The end of the human race ill be that it ill eventually die of civili!ation" <alph Aaldo #&erson
There is a certain reverence for the sociopath as a ma#or cultural type in $merican society% alon& ith the frontiersman% the puritan and the outla " <obert Stone 'ivili!ation is not and can never be sustainable" This is especially true for industrial civili!ation" Derrick >ensen
Part One — Prophecy
%& 'enturin( Out Others 1o)ld start this story on the day the sky shattered.and a task to distract &e fro& &y desire for a drink. Perhaps yo) sho)ld &ake so&e &ore calls and see if yo) can find o)t abo)t yo)r sister. ?n reality. G(o) sho)ld take a parasol. *aybe ? sho)ld take off the collar.? 1as staring at a fe1 half-hearted notes.1as s)pposed to Ioin her fro& *e$ico on the pre2io)s day. G?t hasnFt rained in 1eeks.G D)cindaFs sister. She 1as 1orried abo)t her son Delbert.G D)cinda dre1 an )&brella fro& the stand by the door and offered it to &e.G ? p)shed a1ay the offered )&brella. ?F& only going a fe1 blocks.G G'here is so&ething loco 1ith the sky. She 1as d)e to ha2e a baby soon and she 1anted the child to be born in the United
.po)r &yself that brandy and beco&e Albert =ayne.those boysH ? a& l)cky to get the& to 1ear s)n screen.? 1ondered if ? e2en deser2ed the position of priest at Saint >ohnFs %atholic %h)rch. Dea2ing the st)dy. DonFt 1orry abo)t &e.to1n dr)nk.the ho)sekeeper at the rectory. ? told her ? 1o)ld be right o2er.and ? choose to begin &y story on the day %onnie Blain called and asked if ? co)ld pay her a 2isit as soon as possible. At ti&es like this. G? 1ill be fine. ? 1as 1orking on S)ndayFs ser&on 1hen she called.*aria. %onnieFs plea not only elicited &y co&passion.it ga2e &e an e$c)se to p)t a1ay &y scribblings.G GD)cinda.

G She held the door for &e as ? stepped o)t into the s)rreal s)&&er landscape.and 1o)ld not disc)ss the details 1ith &e.and by night the stars bled &o)rnf)lly 1hile the &oon glo1ered. less grotesM)e. ?t started in a 2ery localiEed and te&porary fashion. She 1as 2ery )pset that her sister had not arri2ed as sched)led.2erging on riots. #2eryone had seen the i&ages on tele2ision .p)nct)ated here and there 1ith a trace of orange.it 1as M)ite clear 1e 1ere heading for tro)ble. G? hear they fo)nd &any bodies o)tside of to1n.and e2eryone 1o)ld soon s)ffer for it. 'he sky o2erhead 1as disM)ieting to say the least.b)t yo) ne2er kno1.as an o2ercast sky can lea2e a person brooding and depressed.o2er the =i&alayas. Ahile ? did not agree 1ith <e2erend %hassey o2er at the =oly <edee&er %h)rch that the end-ti&es 1ere here. 'his at&ospheric pheno&enon first began nearly a year ago.so this sky left e2eryone 1ho sa1 it feeling ill inside. Ahat fe1 clo)ds for&ed in a s)&&er AriEona sky looked like bloated pockets of reddened p)s.and a good &any people 1ere 1orried abo)t e$posing the&sel2es to it. L ?t 1as not 1itho)t reason that D)cinda 1as 1orried abo)t &e 2ent)ring o)t into the open air.o2er *osco1.beco&ing &ore co&&on and gro1ing in siEe )ntil the 1hole sky beca&e s)ff)sed 1ith the sickly
.o2er Antarctica. 'here 1as no disp)ting that h)&ans had &ade a &ess of things.as tho)gh there 1as so&ething terribly 1rong in yo) and in the 1orld aro)nd yo). (et the discoloration 1as &)rkier than blood co)ld e2er be. #n2iron&entalists con2erged 1ith religio)s fanatics to proclai& the end 1as at hand. Jo1 she knitted )p her bro1 in concern. ?t 1as a ti&e of fearf)l 1aiting. 'he sky 1as like this the entire 1orld ro)nd.G G'hen keep trying. 'hen they spread aro)nd the globe. ?f adIecti2es s)ch as sore and infla&ed co)ld apply to the air. the sky o2er the #iffel 'o1er. 'he fir&a&ent 1as i&b)ed 1ith a &ost horrific shade of scarlet fro& horiEon to horiEon.tho)gh ne1s reports ass)red the p)blic nobody had been str)ck ill beca)se of the sky.they fit this sky.Jor1ay and Siberia. #2en the President of #$$on-*obile had to ad&it so&e responsibility for the pheno&enon. A red s)n glared do1n by day.G GSi.in Alaska. (et. GDo yo) think &y *aria &ight be one of the&KG G(o) tr)st the people 1ho 1ere bringing her o2erKG GSi. Jo one ans1ers 1hen ? try to call. %ri&son blosso&s 1ere first 1itnessed along the Arctic %ircle.p)nct)ated by o)tbreaks of panic and self-recri&ination.Padre.&ore than t1enty *e$icans had been &)rdered in a ra2ine so)theast of to1n. 'here 1ere &assi2e protests aro)nd the globe. One look at the sky 1as eno)gh to ass)re yo) that a stor& 1as for&ing.and h)&anity 1o)ld be 2ery l)cky if it s)r2i2ed once this te&pest passed.yello1 and e2en green. According to r)&or.o2er the Forbidden %ity.G 'he story 1as circ)lating. D)cinda had helped arrange the illegal border crossing. =ad so&eone sliced open the hea2ens and spilled their blood into the sky o2erhead.States.o2er *ach) Pich). Jo1here 1as there a hint of bl)e.gi2ing it the appearance of infection.the res)lt 1o)ld ha2e been no .

=e stopped and asked.G G?Fll do that.G#2erything alright. #2en at that point.and there 1as no sign of it letting )p.donFt try to handle hi& yo)rself. Sheriff Pierce co)ld ha2e Ioined the state police or e2en the FB? 1hen he grad)ated fro& the police acade&y. And ? kno1 that ? &ade those darting glances &yself.as tho)gh not 1ishing to dist)rb a sick relati2e.Father =ayneKG G'hat ? donFt kno1 yet. %all *adge and ?Fll be o2er before anything can happen. Behind &eD)cinda glanced )p at the sky and &ade the sign of the cross as she sh)t the door. GAhere yo) goingKG ? stepped o2er to the patrol car and told hi&. And they 1o)ld be partially correct.1eFll get her a1ay fro& hi& and &ake s)re he ne2er lays a hand on her or those kids again.G Sheriff Pierce p)lled a1ay fro& the c)rb and res)&ed his patrol.the sky only ga2e &e another e$c)se to drink .red glo1. ?n tr)th. 'hey 1ere afraid to disc)ss it. As for the rest of )s.G G?f <ogerFs there.they spoke in h)shed tones.G GDonFt 1orry.I)st eno)gh to ass)re the&sel2es the dist)rbance contin)ed 1itho)t change. 'his latest de2elop&ent began o2er a 1eek ago. GAell.G GAill do.#lliot.G%onnie Blain called &e. ? contin)ed on &y 1ay o2er to the Blain ho)se.G GAell. )ntil that day 1hen ? 1ent to call on the Blain residence. 'hat is ho1 ? handled the sit)ation.the kno1ledge 1as not shared 1ith the general p)blic. (o)Fll be the first person ?Fll call. L Along the 1ay. So&eone 1ho had not kno1n the Sheriff as long as ? did 1o)ld think his concern 1as professional.? &et Sheriff #lliot Pierce o)t cr)ising the to1n in his patrol car.G Sheriff Pierce had gro1n )p 1ith %onnie. ? had seen others &ake darting glances at the hea2ens. ?f researchers had deter&ined the ca)se of this dist)rbance. G'hink sheFs ready to ad&it 1hat <ogerFs been doing to that boy.yo) tell her if sheFs had eno)gh.plying &yself 1ith brandy )ntil ? either forgot 1hat 1as happening or no longer cared. So&ething abo)t Delbert.I)st as they 1ere afraid to stare )p at the sky for too long. Jo one 1anted to talk abo)t it . Ahen people did &ention it. (et he
. 'hose 1ho obsessed 1ith it tended to gi2e )p hope and beco&e s)icidal.it intensified.1e either hid a1ay and 1aited for the 1orst or 1e 1ent on 1ith o)r daily li2es. G G=&. Ae did not 1ant to look at 1hat 1as going on o2erhead beca)se 1e kne1 it 1as too late to do anything abo)t it.G G'hatFs allKG Sheriff Pierce eyed &e.as 1hen ? stepped o)t of the rectory to 2isit the Blain ho)sehold. ?f anything.trying to ignore 1hat 1as happening all aro)nd )s.)ntil no1.G G? belie2e she I)st 1ants to talk. 'hey had been an ite& before #lliot 1ent off to school and %onnie &arried <oger Blain.G G*aybe ? sho)ld co&e along-G he offered.yo) let &e kno1 if ? can be of any assistance.G .the pheno&enon rarely lasted for &ore than a day. G%onnie &ight not take it 1ell if yo) sho1ed )p 1ith &e. ? nodded &y head.

?f anything. She kne1 #lliot 1o)ld sho1 no &ercy if she did.she co)ld not ad&it this to hi& or e2en to herself. #2en 1ith drastically )nderpaid 1orkers and s1eatshop conditions. St. =e cared abo)t this co&&)nity.holding o)t for a high price and insisting on partial pay&ent in gold. *e$ico 1as in no better shape than the US 1ith regard to the oil crisis.ret)rned to =eater.2acant ho)ses and abandoned cars. 'ellerFs =orse <anch thri2ed on rising gasoline prices.as all other b)sinesses 1ere str)ggling or failing. Sheriff #lliot Pierce told &e the Dr)g
.and 1as aching for an e$c)se to lock hi& )p. 'he only section of to1n that had increased its pop)lation in the last fe1 years 1as the barrio. . Sheriff Pierce still held feelings for %onnie.and it 1as diffic)lt for hi& to 1atch it die.tho)gh she kne1 she had &ade a &istake in not 1aiting for #lliot to ret)rn. >ohnFs bordered on the barrio. 'hey had been )nder in2estigation t1ice. She accepted his ab)se as her penance for p)tting on airs.it stepped )p its pace. Old &an 'eller dro2e a hard bargain 1ith the&. 'oday ? had left that section of to1n to 2ent)re into the abandoned s)b)rbs.and he co)ld not stand the sit)ation into 1hich she had gotten herself. =e hated <oger Blain 1ith a passion.past e&pty streets and s)n-baked yards.and Datinos &ade )p the &aIority of &y congregation. #2en the &aM)iladoras co)ld not co&pete 1ith prison labor. =o1e2er. 'he other b)siness that flo)rished 1as a bit of a &ystery.%onnie 1o)ld not co&plain to #lliot.1ho see&ed to be the target of his 1rath ne$t to %onnie herself. *ost folks ass)&ed that Stelling and Celler had gone legiti&ate long ago. 'he local border patrol o)tpost 1as one of their biggest c)sto&ers.b)t no e2idence of dr)g s&)ggling had e2er been fo)nd.? 1alked do1n cr)&bling side1alks.the &aM)iladoras that lined the border 1ere failing as 1ere their US co)nterparts. Jo &atter ho1 <oger treated her and the children. (et there 1as &ore going on here than his concern for the to1n and its residents.and if he had failed her. 'here 1ere only t1o b)sinesses in =eater that did prosper in these years.1hich 1as replacing legal tender as the &ost 1idely )sed for& of e$change in o)r area. ?t 1as co&&on kno1ledge aro)nd here that Stelling and Celler b)ilt their b)siness s&)ggling dr)gs fro& *e$ico. ?t 1as the dr)g trade that established SBC ?&ports.1hich &ost people referred to as Dittle *e$ico.the contin)ed prosperity of SBC ?&ports rea1akened s)spicions.1hich later beca&e the local branch of the AriEona State Bank. 'he re&ainder of the 'eller b)siness 1as cond)cted in barter.1here the collapse of ci2iliEation 1as &)ch &ore ob2io)s.partic)larly Delbert. 'he only thing that &ight t)rn her against <oger 1as his ab)se of the children. (et tr)cking bet1een *e$ico and the SBC 1areho)se ne2er decreased. And &anaging the profits of their illegal trade 1as the &ain b)siness of the =eater Bank. L After #lliot p)lled a1ay. 'he latest so)rce of cheap labor 1ere the 1ork far&s in the US that filled )p 1ith debtors )nder the harsh ne1 bankr)ptcy la1s.then it 1as her fa)lt for trying to deny 1here she ca&e fro&. Stelling and Celler ?&ports sho)ld ha2e been str)ggling along 1ith all of the other b)sinesses that depended on tr)cking. She had chosen hi& as her sal2ation fro& the sort of life her fa&ily led. Ahat is &ore. =eater 1as only a ghost of the to1n it had once been. She 1as de2oted to <oger.

and she had so)ght to escape fro& her fa&ily by &arrying <oger. 1ho li2ed in a nice ranch ho)se 1ith his 'he only e$ception 1as <oger Blain1ife %onnie. For a long ti&e it 1as tho)ght that he 1as a)tistic. . =is depression t)rned to bitternessand the bitterness increased as he beca&e &ore fa&iliar 1ith the sort of b)siness that 1ent on at SBC.and he 1o)ld say so&ething that 1o)ld shake yo) to the core.e2en after accepting a position at SBC that %onnieFs dad finagled for hi&. =is paintings 1ere good. ?t did not help &atters that S B C e&ployed &any of the ro)ghest and &ost )npop)lar &e&bers of o)r co&&)nity. <oger had a good paying Iob 1orking for CerryFs Bo1ling Pins.and it rankled hi& to find hi&self 1orking alongside %onnieFs dad and her brothers Bobby and =o1ard.or paying the bail and co)rt fines that res)lted fro& their dr)nken bra1ls.in a pri&iti2e sort of 1ay.b)t doctors had ne2er been certain of his diagnosis. 'he J)points and the *c%readyFs 1orked for SBC.1hich s)ggested they &ight be s&)ggling &ore than dr)gs. After 20 5 the =ispanic pop)lation of the to1n gre1 eno)gh to offset the flight of the &ore established residents. %onnie 1as %arl J)pointFs oldest da)ghter.not ab)sed.<oger al1ays considered hi&self better than his in-la1s.and e2erything 1as going fine )ntil the factory closed )p.the J)points and the *c%readyFs beca&e the best paid 1orkers in the to1n.they 2ie1ed the *e$icans as little better than cockroaches. <acial intolerance gre1 apace 1ith the *e$ican pop)lation. =e 1orked in the 1areho)se. =e also hinted the local border patrol had &ore than a passing interest in the operation. B)t he 1as an angel to be cherished. >ohn+s. Stand hi& in front of an easel 1ith so&e 1atercolor &arkers. And all of the& 1ere 2ery tight-lipped abo)t the &erchandise that passed thro)gh their 1areho)se.no do)bt abo)t it.hitting yo) at a 2isceral le2el. 'hey bro)ght in the ship&ents and they 1orked in the 1areho)se. B)t they sM)andered &ost of their inco&e on alcohol and fornication. 'he de2o)t %atholics a&ong the indigent s1elled the ranks of parishioners at St. (o) see. 'his ani&osity 1as reflected in attit)des to1ard Stelling and Celler. *any of the longer established residents felt the illegal i&&igrants pro2ided )nfair and )n1elco&e co&petition for reso)rces.once in a 1hile he 1o)ld fi$ yo) in those inscr)table bro1n eyes 1ith a look that see&ed to penetrate to yo)r 2ery so)l.and their children Delbert and #llen. And as US citiEens reeled 1ith the debt cr)nch. Delbert 1as a handf)l. Dittle *e$ico gre1 fro& a sM)alid neighborhood to enco&pass nearly half of the to1n. 'he only thing that bro)ght hi& to life 1as painting.loading and )nloading ship&ents and processing paper1ork. Jot only that b)t indebted to %arl J)point for his Iob. @enerally )nresponsi2e. Delbert 1as handicapped.1hich
.#nforce&ent Agency 1as keeping a close eye on their b)siness.1hich e$plained 1hy ? 1as not reassigned else1here as the rest of the to1n shrank. <oger sank into a fit of depression ? do not think he e2er ca&e o)t of. 'hey had a brooding M)ality. 'hey had a real i&pact on the 2ie1er. 'he 1orst of it 1as that poor Delbert see&ed to take the br)nt of his dadFs anger. ?n p)blic he beca&e s)llen and close-&o)thed.and Delbert 1o)ld be b)sy for ho)rs.tho)gh they 1ere by this ti&e the &aIor e&ployer in the to1n. At ho&e he drank and took o)t his anger on his 1ife and children. D)e to the prosperity of SBC in co&parison 1ith other b)sinesses.stealing food fro& their &o)ths 1itho)t being saddled by the econo&ic b)rdens that fell )pon those 1ith citiEenship.

and his skin . Delbert 1as a fair-siEed lad of ten.1ith the soft blonde hair and easy good looks she inherited fro& her &other.an easy chair and a co)ch all arranged aro)nd the tele2ision.and 1ild bro1n eyes that appeared s)nken in his
.? told yo) to t)rn the ': do1nHG 'he child pointed the re&ote and t)rned do1n the 2ol)&e 1itho)t taking her eyes fro& the ':.a chest of dra1ers.she 1as attracti2e in a soft)nass)&ing sort of 1ay. =e had a ro)nded face 1ith f)ll cheeks. She &)st ha2e been 1aiting there for &y arri2al. =is bro1n hair 1as c)t bristle short.b)t he I)st started o2er again fro& scratch.pasty look to it. Fi2e-year-old #llen.a Dego acti2ity table. Beyond the arch1ay 1as a narro1 hall leading to the bedroo&s.1ith a s&all bed.G O)t lo)d. %onnie confided in a 1hisper.dressed in a 1hite artistFs s&ock co2ered in a prof)sion of s&eared paint.#llen-G ? said in a friendly 2oice. B)t no1 she 1as haggard and her face 1as lined 1ith 1orry.)& *e!elations 'he BlainFs li2ed in a neat b)t si&ple ranch ho)se 1ith a brick faNade. had a pale. ?n her early thirties.1ent on )ninterr)pted as %onnie opened the door and 1e entered the roo&.the at&osphere inside the ho)se held a palpable fear. Beyond that.Father =ayne is here. ? tried taking it a1ay fro& hi&. beneath the paint s&)dges .1ith 1heatcolored hair styled to hold a slight 1a2e.Father.taking ad2antage of one of the infreM)ent periods 1hen 1e had po1er to 1atch cartoons. ?t 1as a typical kidFs roo&.p)dgy b)t not grossly o2er1eight.p)nct)ated by &o)rnf)l ho1ls.cl)ttered 1ith Degos b)ilding blocks.and a floor littered 1ith toys and r)&pled clothes. =eFs co&e to pay yo) a 2isit. She had been crying. G#llen.G %onnie led &e to the hall1ay and do1n to DelbertFs roo& as she spoke. =eFs ne2er been this bad before.G She )shered &e in. G'hank yo) for co&ing. An open arch1ay on the left connected the li2ing roo& to a dining roo& and fro& there to the kitchen. At one end of the tablea plastic c)p partially filled 1ith 1ater sat in a s&all p)ddle of the sa&e.tho)gh 1ell cared for. O?tFs Delbert. GDel.G'his is the &ost frightening painting he has e2er done.she anno)nced o)r presence. 'here 1as a coffee table in front of the co)ch. ?n the li2ing roo& there 1as a recliner.G 'he sobbing. G=ello. ? hardly had ti&e to knock before %onnie Blain ans1ered the front door. 'he ho)se 1as f)ll of sadness0 &elancholy 1as thick in the air. 'he ho)se 1as li2ed in.%onnieKG #2en as ? asked this M)estion.a half-e&pty toy chest. G=ello. Delbert 1as facing the door 1ith the easel in front of hi&. ?n the &idst of it all. GAhat is 1rong.G =er 2oice 1as f)ll of an$iety.sat in front of the tele2ision. 'here 1ere a fe1 toys stre1n aro)nd the floor as 1ell.o2er the tele2ision ? co)ld hear a pitif)l ho1ling and 1hining co&ing fro& the back of the ho)se.especially &en. G=ello.so 1e co)ld not see 1hat he 1as painting as 1e entered.G Ae halted before the closed door. G? canFt get hi& to stop. %onnie 1as of a2erage height and slender b)ild. She 1as a person 1ho& others. .Delbert stood painting on a piece of poster board attached to an easel.enIoyed being aro)nd.G #llen haEarded a glance at &e. 'here 1as a t2 tray to his left that 1as cl)ttered 1ith 1atercolor &arkers.

? stepped aro)nd the side of the easel. And then heFll get o)t another piece of poster board and start all o2er again. ?n the backgro)nd 1ere the re&ains of bo&bed or b)rned o)t b)ildings.as the ghastly i&ages in the painting dro2e the&sel2es ho&e.shone in tainted shades of red. 'hen ? reached by Delbert to take the infernal painting fro& the easel.)ntil he fell silent and passi2e.Delbert let o)t a piercing cry. %onnie grabbed &y slee2e and p)lled &e back.Delbert added the finishing .tho)gh it co)ld only ha2e been a fe1 seconds. ? tried not to look at the painting.Delbert set his &arker back on the tray.as tho)gh these e2ents 1ere fa&iliar to o)r deepest s)bconscio)s. 'he starsho1e2er. @rabbing a 1atercolor &arker fro& the piled t2 tray ne$t to hi&. #2eryone in the painting 1as filled 1ith stark terror.? tho)ght ? co)ld detect a fading br)ise aro)nd his right eye. B)t ? 1as not prepared for 1hat he 1as 1orking on no1.so&e of 1ho& 1ere already eating.shining stars. O)r entry 1ent )nackno1ledged.Del 1ill ha2e a screa&ing fit. Ahile 1e stood aghast. 'o the right. And so&e looked )p1ardi&ploring the hea2ens. to)ches.to1ards the center of the painting.1ailing as tho)gh each paint stroke ca)sed hi& physical pain. ? 1anted to rip it )p and b)rn the pieces. Behind the&. Shaking &y head to break the spell. Others 1ere prostrating the&sel2es face do1n 1ith ar&s e$tended in the &)ddy gr)el. G*y @od-G ? &)ttered. Ae 1alked aro)nd the easel to stand beside Delbert.ill)&inated by a sky f)ll of bright. ?n the foregro)nd. One of the &ost terrifying things abo)t the painting 1as that it e2oked a sort of ine$plicable recognition.1here ? co)ld no longer see the horrid painting.pa)sing to blend colors 1ith his fingers.all holding lit candles.)nda&pened by fa&iliarity.a s&aller gro)p of people gathered aro)nd the body of a child.G
.staring at this horrible scene. GJo. And it see&ed the stars 1ere act)ally crying fo)l tears colored bloody red and s)pp)rating yello1. A &an 1ith a b)tcherFs knife car2ed &eat fro& the dead child and passed it to the others. =e stood there.G Delbert s)bsided to a M)iet sobbing as he stood before the easel. ? 1as 1ell a1are of DelbertFs artistic talent.stepping o2er the toys blocking o)r 1ay. =e 1hined and bl)bbered the 1hole ti&e.orange and dirty yello1. =is 1hining died do1n. =a2ing finished 1ith the painting.nor the i&pact it 1o)ld ha2e on &e. #ach 2ie1ing bro)ght 1ith it a fresh shock.fro& the &iddle to the left side of the painting 1ere naked people co2ered 1ith star gore. Ae stood transfi$ed for 1hat see&ed an eternity.kno1n to o)r &arro1 and to o)r so)ls. Despite the nor&al dark circles aro)nd his eyes that &ade the& look recessed. 'hese corr)pt tears rained do1n )pon a landscape a1ash in gore. =is silence shook &e free of &y o1n shock.se2eral &en held a 1o&an 1hile another &an 1as ca)ght in the act of beheading her 1ith an a$e.b)t &y eyes 1ere dra1n back to it. ?t 1as a night scene. 'his b)tchery 1as 1itnessed by a ring of spectators.face. So&e 1ere on their knees praying. G=o1 co)ld he do thisK =o1 co)ld any childP.Delbert 1as absorbed in his creati2e o)tlet.donFt to)ch itHG GAe canFt lea2e itHG G?f yo) take it no1.b)t before ? to)ched it.staring li&p and blank at his finished 1ork.

'he fo)rth painting depicted a daylight scene. 'he portrayal 1as so acc)rate ? felt the sa&e sense of foreboding and grief that ha)nted &e 1hen looking )p at the sky o)tside.drying on the easel. 'he to1n appeared to be e&pty or sleeping.beca)se it is the only ti&e he cries 1hile he is painting.as soon as ? can get it a1ay fro& hi&. 'he ne$t t1o paintings 1ere &)ch the .and this sky 1as f)ll of the sa&e bloated. Dater.G L ?t 1as a cro1ded and conglo&erated kidFs closet.preparing to p)rge the&sel2es of so&e poison.G ?t 1as a night scene. GDel started painting these abo)t t1o years ago.the sky that loo&ed o2erhead as ? Io)rneyed to the Blain ho)se.G 'ho)gh ? did not 1ant to see any &ore 1ork of the sort that stood fresh on the easel.G? donFt kno1. ? kno1 1hen he is 1orking on another.G %onnie h)gged Delbert 1ith lo2e and sy&pathy. GAhen did he do thisKG G'hese first fo)r 1ere done in M)ick s)ccession a little o2er t1o years ago.or possibly the residents 1ere hiding. *ost of the painting 1as sky.flo1ing like a ri2er.this 1as the sky o)tside.? 1ent back and d)g the& o)t. ?t had de2eloped an oily sheen and see&ed to be on the &o2e. 'he landscape 1as in darkness. <e2ealed by daylight. =ere is the first one. ?n the third painting. 'here 1as a change in the fir&a&ent.and then she left her son in front of his easel and crossed o2er to the sliding closet doors.G G'1o years ago.1ith shado1ed treetops o)tlining the horiEon.the sa&e )nnat)ral night sky shone do1n )pon a to1n &)ch like =eater.and the i&age had an i&pact at 1hich the pre2io)s three only hinted. 'his 1as the sky the entire planet had been li2ing )nder for o2er a 1eek no1.? stepped o2er beside her as she p)lled o)t the art1ork for &e to 2ie1.? felt a chill. 'he second feat)red the stars reflecting in the cal& 1aters of a lake.Del has had his share of sorro1s. 'he effect &ade &e feel that so&ething &alignant 1as d1elling deep belo1 the s)rface of the lake. Backing a1ay fro& the closet.discolored stars as the latest painting.G She 1as lost for a &o&ent in the painting. Jot e2en <oger. 'he stars appeared to be brooding. sa&e as the first.&in)s the tears. Ahen Del finishes one. S)nlight re2ealed a high1ay in the desert. ?n a co)ple of places there 1ere s1irling eddies that s)ggested t)rb)lence.it 1as not nearly as dist)rbing as the painting on the easel. Standing on tiptoe. G?F2e ne2er sho1n these to anyone.G ? tho)ght for a &o&ent of DelbertFs latest painting. 'he entire scene 1as tinted a ghostly red h)e fro& the sky.biding its ti&e. ?t 1as hard to belie2e Delbert had not painted it in the last 1eek.looking thro)gh his bedroo& 1indo1.she cleared the top of the chest of dra1ers.? si&ply tossed the& in a bo$.she d)g o)t a bro1n portfolio folder. G%ertainly. %onnie had to root aro)nd on the o2erhead shel2es.she )n1o)nd the string tie and opened it. Despite the hot and st)ffy bedroo&.
.? pack it in here. G? ha2e &ore to sho1 yo). 'ho)gh eerie eno)gh in itself.p)shing DelbertFs piggy bank and spider&an action fig)res to the back0 other toys fell off the side. 'he ne$t painting sho1ed the sky o2er forested &o)ntains. At the ti&e. Daying the portfolio atop the dresser.1hen ? sa1 1hat 1as happening to the sky.

the 2ie1 fro& an alien planet.there 1as a scene of tainted rain falling in a city. 'ho)gh ? 1as not a1are of it. 'hey h)ng threateningly in the sky o2er a far& that co)ld ha2e been the ho&e 1here ? gre1 )p in Cansas. 'he f)nnels see&ed to concentrate the conta&inants into a dark p)rple ste1.and 1hen 1e 2ie1ed the ne$t painting ? gasped.?n the si$th painting. 'here 1as a &an spra1led o)t on the street. Ae 1ere back in =eater. One yo)ng &an off to the side. 'his 1as the first painting to feat)re people.the stars 1ere p)rging the&sel2es. #2ery1here o2erhead 1as an e$ploding inferno of roiling fire. #ach painting had intensified &y an$iety.blighted by 1hate2er ?n the ne$t painting.b)t ? slid the painting aside to 2ie1 the ne$t. ? felt tears for&ing in &y eyes for all that 1as gone. 'here 1as a t1ostory ho)se and large barn. ? had no desire to see &ore.a gro)p of people 1atched hi& 1ith concern. And I)dging fro& the fla&es on the horiEon.pig pens.the entire city had fallen to the &adness. =e lay in a p)ddle of star &ias&a. Sky gore 1ashed the sides of b)ildings.and this is 1hat 1e 1ere looking at .dripped fro& a1nings. 'here 1ere bodies lying abo)t. #2en as the insidio)s rain contin)ed to fall. After this. 'he city 1as afla&e in the backgro)nd.1as staring )p at the sky 1ith fear in his eyes. %ro1ded together )nder an a1ning. Jone of the f)nnels to)ched do1n. (o) co)ld see it fro& the high1ay heading north to1ards Phoeni$. #$cept that here the stars and .and the entire sky o2erhead er)pted into billo1ing fla&es.after skidding o)t on a bicycle that crashed nearby. %harges of lightning arced fro& f)nnel to f)nnel. So&eho1 the fire opened )p the at&osphere to the darkness of space. ? kne1 this &esa.glistened on side1alks and streets and pooled in g)tters.and o2er to one end 1as a rising d)st clo)d. %onnieFs hands 1ere shaking no1 as she dre1 the& fro& the portfolio. Only no1 ? )nderstood this 1as not a night sky. ?t 1as ob2io)s at a glance the police had lost this battle.only no1 the city had er)pted.1iping it clean of all life. One large and partic)larly dark f)nnel glo1ed in the foregro)nd. the s)n 1ere discolored. 'he s)n 1as clearly 2isible alongside the stars.)ntil no1 &y heart 1as po)nding and adrenalin s)rged thro)gh &y body. 'here 1ere only t1o &ore paintings left in the series. ? tho)ght s)rely these fla&es &)st reach do1n to ca)teriEe the s)rface of the planet.rioters and police&en both. A large cro1d 1as stor&ing a broken line of riot police and soldiers.instead of looking at the fallen &an.
. Another &an 1ith an )&brella 1as r)nning do1n the side1alka1ay fro& the scene.tho)gh ? co)ld not tear &y eyes a1ay fro& the&. 'he lightning arcing to it see&ed to fill this f)nnel 1ith charges of electricity. ?t 1as like the fires of =ell en2eloping the #arth.and a chicken coop.n)&ero)s f)nnel clo)ds 1ere dipping do1n o)t of the sickly sky. Stretching o)t aro)nd the far& 1ere barren fields 1ith a fe1 straggly corn stalks.and there 1as no telling ho1 badly he 1as h)rt. disease had befo)led the sky. 'he first painting held another )rban scene.nearly i&penetrable. A part of &e did not 1ant to go on.tho)gh none ga2e any indication of going to his aid. =ere 1ere the sa&e f)nnels o2er a &esa o)t on the desert.? 1as holding &y breath by this ti&e. ?t looked ready to e$plode. All 1as in fla&es.cro1ds of people 1ere looting and b)rningfighting 1ith police and 1ith each other.1e sa1 the starry night sky of DelbertFs &ost recent painting. ?n the ne$t can2as.flooding the desert in )nhealthy rains that 1o)ld ne2er prod)ce a desert bloo&.

G GAre yo) s)reKG G(es.'he last painting sho1ed people craEed 1ith despair.b)t ? can tell yo) that &)ch.G G?tFs that IobH =e ne2er sho)ld ha2e gone to 1ork at SBC. 'hey 1ere tearing off their clothes. (o) need to sho1 these paintings to so&eone 1ho is better trained to interpret the&.ho1 long after <oger started drinking 1as it that Delbert began painting these scenesKG G<oger is a good &an. =e 1asnFt like &y father and &y brothers. And they are co&ing tr)e. So&e 1ere praying and i&ploring for &ercy. GAhat is he going to paint ne$tK Ahere is all of this taking hi&KG GJo1. (o) kno1 yo)r son isnFt capable of e2il.)sing it to e$press his o1n inner t)r&oil.a conflicting &i$t)re of relief and sorro1 doing battle 1ithin her.Father. psychiatrist. As ? looked at this last painting.Father.didnFt yo) feel it 1hen yo) sa1 the&.1hat ? 1orry abo)tP 1hat ? 1onderP.and ? fo)ght to reestablish control o2er &y e&otions.thinking abo)t the paintings obIecti2ely instead of reacting to the& on an e&otional le2el. L GAell. =e &ay ha2e picked )p on so&ething that 1as already happening in the at&osphere. G? &ay not be a . 'he desperation and the horror in these paintings o2er1hel&ed &e.? felt so&ething inside of &e gi2e )p.not )ntil he started 1orking there.her face lined in 1orry. GB)t these paintingsP. As %onnie gathered the paintings and packed the& a1ay in the portfolio. Ahat is happening to &y boyKG G? donFt kno1.G %onnie looked do1ncast.? kno1 that. ?n the backgro)nd 1ere r)ins &)ch like those in DelbertFs latest painting.b)t he is a tro)bled so)l. 'hen he e&broidered )pon it. =e lo2es DelbertH =e lo2es all of )sHG G? didnFt say he doesnFt. All 1ere beside the&sel2es 1ith 1oe and grief.G GAre an e$pression of an inner conflict beyond his co&prehension. G%onnie.G G(es.G Jo ? 1as not.p)lling at their hair and cla1ing at their flesh as the star 2eno& rained do1n )pon the&. ? kno1 they to)ched yo).no1. 'hat is all.G
.? a&.G GSo&e of the& are.G %onnie &ade se2eral false starts before she braced herself to 2oice her fears.G ? grasped at this logical e$planation as &)ch for &y o1n co&fort as for hers.de2oid of hope.G GFather. So&e 1ere crying or screa&ing in )ncontrollable fits of panic. GDelbert is a great artist and a sensiti2e child.%onnie.? so)ght to distance &yself fro& 1hat ? had I)st seen. B)t so&eti&es people take things o)t on those they lo2e the &ost.G G(es.Father. B)t that doesnFt &ean they all 1ill. Delbert is a po1erf)l painter. ?t 1as a scene of )nre&itting despair.G GB)t. Delbert is a sensiti2e child.G She eyed the portfolio.so&ething beyond yo)r 1orst night&ares. ?tFs like they call )p so&e distant &e&ory.

G GOkay.G GJo.? felt the need to bolster all of o)r spirits.regarding &e blankly.and he needs )s.G GAell then.G GJo.G She 1o)ld not finish the tho)ght. <ogerFs proble& is the people he 1orks 1ith.can yo) pers)ade hi& to co&e and see &e at the ch)rchKG G*aybe. (o) ha2e to talk to hi& so&eti&e 1hen he is not drinking.G%onnie.G %onnie looked trapped and tro)bled.Q G=as he seen these paintingsKG ? tapped the portfolio.G %onnie stifled her tears and p)shed herself a1ay fro& &y sho)lder.G GOkay-G she finally agreed. G(o) sho)ld try to &ake it to
.G GAlright.and for the sake of yo)r little artist here.G G@ood.e2en if ? 1as l)cky eno)gh to find 1ork.G .abo)t these paintings. 'hey ha2e the 1orst sort of people 1orking there.yo) ha2e to think of the children. 'he 1ay things are. G*y fa&ily 1onFt help.? co)ld ne2er take care of the kids by &yself. Are they in2ol2ed in the illegal i&&igration trade as 1ellK %o)ld they be connected to the dead *e$icans o)tside of to1nKG G=e 1onFt talk abo)t the b)siness.G G? co)ldnFt. GJo.? had no 1ish to take the paintings 1ith &e. G*aybe o)t in p)blic. Ae need to &o2e a1ay. G? co)ld take the& and sho1 the& to so&e analysts.1hat goes on at SBC ?&portsK Aord is they+re r)nning dr)gs.&)ch less &)rder.and #llen and yo)-G ? said it for her. ? canFt take care of Del.and keep a roof o2er o)r heads and food on o)r table. Ae need hi&. =e stood facing )s.G GAhere 1o)ld yo) goK Do either of yo) ha2e fa&ily else1hereKG GJo.yo) ha2e to do this for yo)r childrenFs sake.G %onnie 1as on the 2erge of tears. Dooking at hi&.G She so)nded do)btf)l. G(o)Fre going to ha2e to 1ork on it.he 1o)ld ha2e to ad&it there+s so&ething 1rong here. 'hey donFt lea2e this ho)se. 'ell hi& yo) need &arriage co)nseling.b)t itFs the only 1ork he can find. GOr he 1ill contin)e to take it o)t on Delbert. ? canFt take care of the kids . B)t <oger 1o)ld ne2er be in2ol2ed in dr)g s&)ggling.1e fo)nd that Delbert 1as no longer intent )pon his latest painting. G%onnie.then he &)st realiEe 1hat he is doing to his lo2ed ones. ?Fll see 1hat sort of help ? can find for yo).b)t so&eti&es it is the only 1ay o)t of an ab)si2e &arriage.Q G?f he sa1 the&. 'o be honest. GB)t yo) &)st 1ork on <oger-G ? reiterated.standing by the side of his easel.and he &)st find a 1ay o)t of this sit)ation.G ')rning fro& the dresser. ? donFt 1ant anyone else to see the&.G G=e 1o)ld say it 1as Del.G? 1ill 1ork on it. GB)t ? lo2e <oger.G ? gest)red again to the portfolio.G G? a&.Gfor #llenFs sake. =e hates it there. %onnie cringed at the s)ggestion.G G'hen &aybe yo) sho)ld sho1 the& to hi&.G ? h)gged her as she broke into tears. G?t 1ill 1ork o)t. And ? incl)de &y o1n fa&ily 1hen ? say that. %onnie. 'he %h)rch does not fa2or di2orce.G ? let it go. GB)t he canFt stay at SBC orP. Jo1.

(o)Fre the only person 1ho has e2er seen the&. ? co)ld not help looking at the can2as again as she laid it aside.she pro&ised. (o)Fre hiding in the ch)rch.he 1o)ld feel relie2ed once he is done.and not the slightest hint of a speech i&pedi&ent.G GDonFt 1orry.%onnie. GDelHG =is &other 1as aghast that he sho)ld address &e in this &anner.GAfter ? say goodbye to Father =ayne. Ae can 1ork this o)t.? canFt see the ':HG GDelbert-G %onnie de&anded. O)r choir is al1ays looking for another good 2oice.Father.? p)t the& in the portfolio and pack the& a1ay.and for all of yo).G And then it happened. G*o&.G %onnie sighed as 1e 1atched Delbert racing aro)nd. 'hen he takes off playing like nothing happened. =is 2oice held all the candor of a child.G %onnie stepped o2er to the easel and took do1n the painting. G=o1 does he feel abo)t these paintings once he is doneKG GDike they ne2er e$isted.Q G*o&HG #llen called o)t. ? donFt kno1 1hat 1o)ld &ake hi& say a thing like that.
.Father.so long as yo) donFt back do1n. For DelbertFs sake. G(o)Fre no priest.flying his &odel plane and &aking s1ooping engine noises.letFs go into the kitchen and fi$ )p a treat. She knelt before hi& and grasped his ar& to stop hi& fro& t)rning a1ay. Delbert spoke. 'he sight of it hit &e 1ith rene1ed i&pact. @et hi& to co&e in for &arriage co)nseling. #2eryone kno1s ho1 dedicated yo) are to the %h)rch.&agnified by 1hat Delbert had said to &e. GAi1planeHG he e$clai&ed as he held the treas)red toy aloft. G'his is ho1 it is e2ery ti&e. After he co&pletes one of those paintings.1hich she laid atop .he )sed his free hand to snatch )p a &odel Iet fighter. =e looked do1n at the floor. Delbert raced o)t of the roo&. (o)F2e got to 1ork on <oger.G 'o settle both of the kids do1n. Bending o2er.it see&s to ha2e passed.he 1ill be M)iet for a 1hile .G G? 1onFt. G*o&H DelFs b)gging &eHG Ae ret)rned to the li2ing roo& to find Delbert circling 1ith his airplane in front of the tele2ision. ? al&ost ne2er take the& o)t0 they bother &e too &)ch.G As #llen 2oiced her appro2al and Delbert M)ieted.G G? 1ill try.and he raced abo)t the roo&. Ahate2er 1as tro)bling hi&. %onnie let go of his ar&.G ? 1as taken aback. B)t ? donFt lea2e the& 1here he can find the&.%onnie led &e to the front door. the dresser 1ith the portfolio.G G?f heFs )sing the paintings to 1ork o)t his fears and an$ieties.ch)rch a little &ore often. G=o1 co)ld yo) say s)ch a thingKG B)t Del hardly ackno1ledged her presence.%onnie.G G=eFs holding a lot of pain in there. As soon as they dry.G She so)nded &ore resigned than deter&ined.displaying e$)berant good spirits. G?F& sorry.child. 'hen he gasped for Ioy.G GJe2er &ind.Father.flying his toy Iet.Gnot in front of the ':. like heFs e&pty. G'hank yo) for co&ing. G(o) ha2e no faith-G he said.blocking his sisterFs 2ie1. As ? recall yo) ha2e a 2ery pleasant 2oice.

? pa)sed on the side1alk to look back at the ho)se and gather &y 1its.
. ?n 1ays of 1hich ? 1as not yet f)lly cogniEant.
. O2erheadthe sky contin)ed to he&orrhage.&ankind had set into &otion so&ething that co)ld only be called e2il.? 1as a1are &y life had changed as a res)lt of this 2isit.? kne1 the 1orld 1as soon to take an )nspeakable t)rn. 'ho)gh ? kne1 not ho1.far &ore sinister than the si&ple decay of ci2iliEation. 'his 1as 1ay beyond the energy crisis and the econo&ic crash. ?n o)r ignorance and o)r greed.

Skyrocketing gas prices and sporadic a2ailability forced the& to close their p)&ps. 'he Chosa store kept &any fa&ilies fro& star2ing and helped to hold the s)rro)nding neighborhoods together 1hile others 1ere abandoning the to1n and their ho&es.(aldaand their t1o sons. After the station 1as robbed t1ice. 'hen in the late 90s it 1as torn do1n. Sali& Chosa.and b)lletproof glass o2er the cashier+s cage.r)n for &any years by the Je2il fa&ily.a *osle& fro& Pakistan.1hen the federal go2ern&ent lost it+s credit rating d)e to the bailo)t.being caref)l of the potholes that had de2eloped in the streets since the road co&&ission stopped ser2icing the to1n.d)e in a co)ple of days. 'his did not stop the ne1 station and con2enience store fro& doing a brisk b)siness.ho1e2er.Sheriff Pierce had to post a g)ard at the station to protect the fa&ily.and instead Sali& dropped the price at the p)&p back to 1hat it had been before the attack.the Chosa fa&ily beca&e a target for local rednecks.Sali& installed a sec)rity syste& 1ith ca&eras inside and o)tside of the store. 'hen 9R happened. Se2eral years later.and the dollar crashed.there had been a neighborhood store on this spot.a)g&enting their in2entory 1ith local prod)ce and barter. ?n the end. So&e t1enty years ago.as locals ϟ lined )p to fill their gas tanks.this only ga2e 1eight to the acc)sations. (et as b)sinesses folded all aro)nd the&.Sali& 1as 1illing to deal in barter for e2erything b)t f)el.their presence 1as resented. On the side of the store. By that afternoon.
. After that.they kept the store open. Sali&+s station s)r2i2ed the real estate crash. Before the day 1as o)t.no longer able to co&pete 1ith Aal&art. Ahile they dressed like A&ericans and &ade no o)t1ard sho1 of their faith.they co)ld not fight the rising tide of racis& and antii&&igrant hatred targeted especially against =ispanics.tho)gh Sali& Chosa had 1orked hard at scr)bbing the graffiti off before abandoning his b)siness.and being too old to keep )p the place. Sali& &ade a bad choice in heeding the ad2ice of his distrib)tors 1hen they M)oted the e$pected price on his ne$t ship&ent of f)el.)ntil the A&ero 1as established as the ne1 c)rrency for Jorth A&erica. @as tanks 1ere planted in the gro)nd and the Speed1ay 1as erected. Ahen the cost of the ne$t ship&ent did not go )p.r)&ors circ)lated that Sali& forced the elderly co)ple o)t of b)siness.Arabs and Asians.bo)ght the concession.the spray painted 1ords Arab Terrorists 1ere still legible. Altho)gh se2eral years had passed bet1een the Je2il+s closing their b)siness and the opening of the Speed1ay. @raffiti appeared on the side1alks and else1here.L #lliot tra2eled slo1ly in the cr)iser. Ae dro2e past the b)rned o)t shell of the Speed1ay station and con2enience &art. 'he b)ilding stood e&pty for se2eral years. =e operated it along 1ith his 1ife. >ohn and *ary Je2il closed their store in the 990s. Sali& installed a large freeEer and bo)ght &eat fro& local ranchers. Aindo1s 1ere broken o)t and p)&ps 1ere 2andaliEed.Sali& do)bled the price at the p)&ps.

G G*ore than t1ice that n)&ber.the b)rned-o)t store stood for &e as an e&ble& of 1hat had happened to this to1n and this co)ntry. GP.G G'hatFs horrible.b)t the store 1as gone. Aith o)r co&&)nities ato&iEed by corporations and pri2atiEation.they packed )p and left to1n. Aord 1as they ret)rned to Pakistan.1hen Sali& 1ent o)t to in2estigate a noise behind the b)ilding.protected fro& the &isery and the desperation.do)sed 1ith kerosene and set on fire.if not &ore than one.he 1as shot.After their yo)ngest son. ϟ G(o) re&e&ber those 2agabonds o2er the last co)ple yearsKG O2er the past t1o years. Jo1.1here2er they looked different fro& o)rsel2es.thro1n into a g)lch o)t at S1anson %reek. 'he *O is too close to the other killings 1eF2e had o2er the last co)ple years.)nable to )nderstand 1hat 1as happening d)e to the constant bo&bard&ent of &edia disinfor&ation.1e had a n)&ber of solitary 2agabonds &)rdered in the to1n and the s)rro)nding co)ntryside. Sali& s)r2i2ed the g)nshot.as 1e dro2e by.G G?F& sorry to hear that. 'hen it 1as deter&ined the drifters 1ere killed prior to the fires.G G(o) donFt think so&eone in this co&&)nity 1o)ld be capable of thatKG G?F& afraid so.*alikbegan carrying handg)ns.<ahi&.1e fell on each other. 'hey took o2er the case. Ae fo)nd a b)nch of dead *e$icans yesterday.1e t)rned on o)r neighbors. L Dost in these tho)ghts as ? 1as.b)t they donFt see& to be 1orking it too hard.G O'hey say there 1ere o2er t1enty bodies.the Border Patrol clai&s I)risdiction.isolated by the erosion of infrastr)ct)re and the dis&antling of o)r co&&)nities. One night.the neighborhoods they had ser2ed 1ere all b)t deserted. ? hope not.the store 1as fire bo&bed. D)cinda is 1orried her sister &ay be a&ong the 2icti&s. %onceding defeat. ?n the res)lting collapse.li2ed in co&fort &any &iles a1ay.o)t on the desert. =o1e2er. ?F& afraid 1e ha2e a &ass &)rderer so&e1here aro)nd here.1e 1ere )nable to s)r2i2e the ine2itable endga&e of cons)&er c)lt)re and the pri&acy of profit o2er all else.he co)ld ne2er find any solid leads as to 1ho 1as co&&itting the &)rders.ca)ght in fires b)rning do1n abandoned b)ildings. Aithin a year.b)t the threats and inti&idation only intensified.things &)ch 1orse than that.1as beaten. 'hey kept a t1enty-fo)r ho)r g)ard on their store.? &issed part of 1hat Sheriff Pierce 1as saying. ?n o)r fear.o)r desperation and o)r anger.G GAhat happened o)t thereKG #lliot shr)gged.1hile those 1ho 1ere responsible for steering )s do1n this path.Sali& and his other son. All of the& 1ere shot.for her sake. 'he first fe1 1ere tho)ght to be accidents or s)icides.and no one had any infor&ation to share.G GAhatFs thatKG ? tried to catch )p 1ith the con2ersation.those 1ho reaped the profits. G%)E they 1ere 1etbacks.G GAhat is this 1orld co&ing toKG
. G?+& s)re yo)+2e heard. Ahile his fa&ily 1ere at the hospital. #lliot tho)ght it &ight be the 1ork of 2igilantestrying to clear the area of )ndesirables.

Padre.G Ae said o)r goodbyes and #lliot dro2e a1ay. G? 1ish *aria 1o)ld I)st sho1 )p here. Ao)ld yo) like &e to co&e alongKG GJo.friends and relati2es.G GJo thank yo). 'hey 1ere fa&ilies.? said.
. Any1ay.? co)ld not do that.G ϟ G? co)ld talk to the&. ')rning to lean back into the open door. Ae 1ere already preying )pon each other.Father.neighbors. to tra&ple their for&er friends if it 1o)ld gi2e the& an ad2antage.#lliot-G ? replied as ? cli&bed o)t of the car. She 1as e2en &ore agitated than 1hen ? left.G G'hank yo).G #lliot p)lled )p in front of the ch)rch. Are yo) alrightKG G? canFt reach anyone.G D)cinda knitted her bro1. 'he angry red tint the discolored sky lent to the entire scene s)ited &y fra&e of &ind as ? conte&plated the sa2agery of &ankind.G ? opened the car door and prepared to step o)t.nor did ? care to )pset D)cinda f)rther.G G? co)ld not do that.G G'hank yo) for the ride. ? 1ill do that after ? fi$ yo)r dinner.? ha2e dinner cooking for yo). ?t took only a slight n)dge fro& )nfort)nate circ)&stances to )nlock o)r baser.#lliot. G? 1ish ? co)ld say thanks for the pleasant con2ersation. So do ?. and e2en eager .Padre. 'he people of =eater had gro1n )p together for se2eral generations no1. Jo1 1e 1ere stealing fro& each other and taking o)t o)r fr)strations on anyone 1ho 1as 1eaker. GAll ? can tell yo) is that desperate &en do desperate things. 'hey 1o)ld be angry if ? bro)ght anyone.G G(es. ?Fll be in &y st)dy. Slight differences of opinion and belief 1ere transfor&ed into battle lines. Did he say anything abo)t the &)rdersKG ? pro&ised the sheriff ? 1o)ld not repeat 1hat he told &e. Stepping o2er to the 1indo1.e2en yo).G? shall treat this entire con2ersation as a confession.G ? co)ld s&ell spicy *e$ican cooking co&ing fro& the kitchen.sho)ld yo) need &e.G'hatFs a M)estion for yo) rather than &e.after dinner ? 1ant yo) to go and learn 1hat yo) can abo)t yo)r sister.? gaEed o)tside at the ch)rch. 'he Border Patrol took o2er. D)cinda &et &e at the door to the rectory. GAell.theyFll ha2e to talk to yo) in person. ? sa1 yo) dri2e )p 1ith the sheriff. (et she held herself in check and inM)ired.Father.G GDonFt 1orry.across 1hich neighbor 2ie1ed neighbor 1ith a s&oldering hatred. ?f they arenFt ans1ering the phone.e2en o)r o1n fa&ilies.Padre.yo) co)ld.PadreKG GAs 1ell as co)ld be e$pected.the ch)rchyard and the street. (et they t)rned on each other at the first hint of ad2ersity.Padre.inh)&ane tendencies. Ae 1ere e2en 1illing to &)rder.G GSo do ?. #2eryone 1as prepared . G=eFs off the case. Ae 1ere not so far fro& open rioting and 2iolence at that. Ani&osity and ri2alry replaced any hint of brotherhood or solidarity.then.Father.G GSi. Please donFt repeat 1hat ? told yo) to anyone. And the Datinos in Dittle *e$ico 1ere hated by all. ?t 1as easy to see ho1 Delbert ca&e by the notions of inh)&anity he e$pressed in his paintings.G GAhy donFt yo) take the rest of the day off and go see 1hat yo) can find o)t.G D)cinda 1ent into the kitchen and ? entered the st)dy.GDid e2erything go 1ell. =ere yo) go. 'he to1n of =eater 1as a case in point.G G:ery 1ell.

?t 1as a relief to ha2e the drink ? had str)ggled to deny &yself all day.? crossed the roo& and closed the doors. As the opera began. (et this relief 1as te&pered 1ith g)ilt that ? needed this drink . needed it far too &)ch0 t)rning to alcohol 1hen ? sho)ld ha2e t)rned to @od.and by the kno1ledge his 1ords ha&&ered ho&e/ kno1ledge that ? did not belie2e in @od.dre1 a key o)t of &y pocket and opened the dra1er 1here ? kept a bottle of brandy and a glass.? sat do1n at &y desk.g)ilt and re&orse. ? drank 1ith a &i$t)re of relief. 'he re&orse ca&e fro& the &e&ories stirred )p by DelbertFs 1ords. 'hen ? opened the cabinet 1here ? kept a stereo and so&e recordings.
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. ? chose :erdiFs Don %arlos beca)se ? tho)ght the noble aspirations of the hero and heroine &ight lift &y spirits.Dea2ing the 1indo1. Perhaps a little opera 1o)ld i&pro2e &y &ood.at least not the @od of the ch)rch and the bible.

A far&erFs life has al1ays been a life of toil and tro)ble. ?t s)r2i2ed the D)st Bo1l and the @reat Depression. 'he door to the hay loft 1as also open and ? co)ld see kids playing in the hay.? co)ld not fig)re o)t ho1 to t)ne the instr)&ent. And after hi&.on a Sat)rday. 'ho)gh ? had been dying to attend the barn dance for years.and any additional sons &)st fend for the&sel2es. At first sight.&y parents got )s all dressed )p and took )s to a local barn dance. And &y &other 1as )nable to bear children after that.or &y faith in @od or >es)s %hrist.&y parents insisted &)sic lessons 1ere too e$pensi2e.)nder a loft. 'he third son 1o)ld Ioin the &ilitary. Before 1e left. After selling off their herd.%harles. ?n tr)th. A third son died in childbirth. ? had not Ioined the priesthood beca)se of &y belief in the %atholic %h)rch. 'he second son 1o)ld Ioin the priesthood.after s)pper.and to escape &y fear of &adness.& Fiddle and "ow ? ca&e to the ch)rch at &y fa&ilyFs insistence.? 1as ne2er en2io)s of &y brother.the yo)ngest son of >ohn and #loise =ayne.painted the traditional red 1ith 1hite tri&.G One of o)r neighbors.had a large barn that had once ho)sed a herd of dairy cattle.to Gsee if anyone there can play that thing. 'ho)gh ? co)ld prod)ce little &ore than scratching noises.p)shed o)t by the dairy factories.? think &y &other 1orked on hi& beca)se she co)ld not stand to hear &e scratching at that 2iolin any longer. ? had al1ays lo2ed &)sic. 'he do)ble doors 1ere open and the inside 1as lit )p by big lights s)spended fro& the ceiling.Part Two — The Church and the Fiddle
. Jo1 ? scratched at that fiddle )ntil it dro2e &y parents n)ts. ? gre1 )p on a far& in Cansas. ?t 1as I)st that ? had other interests.&y dad told &e to bring the 2iolin. ?n spite of &y pleading.? fo)nd &y great grandfatherFs 2iolin 1hile playing in the attic. %ars 1ere p)lling in to fill the gra2el parking lot in front of the barn. Jo1.this 1as the first ti&e &y father allo1ed )s to go.there 1as only &e and &y older brother %harles. Jor did ? ha2e anything against the %h)rch per se. Act)ally. Ae arri2ed before the barn dance began. Once a &onth. Ahile there 1as a spare set of strings in the case. 'hey had gone o)t of the dairy b)siness so&e ti&e before.
. ?t 1as the largest barn ? had e2er seen.the Darlings. ? beca&e a priest to r)n a1ay fro& &y lack of belief in &yself. Father ref)sed to be sM)eeEed off his land by the large agrib)sinesses.&y brother str)ggled to ride o)t the global econo&ic collapse. As a child. ?t 1as the =ayne tradition for the oldest son to inherit the far&.they tore o)t &ost of the stalls and no1 )sed the barn for 1hat little li2estock they had.? 1as cons)&ed 1ith a desire to learn ho1 to play the instr)&ent. 'he far& had been passed do1n thro)gh se2eral generations of =aynes. 'hey b)ilt a lo1 stage at one end of the barn. At age ten.to hide fro& &y grief. L One Sat)rday e2ening.? )sed to drea& of the day 1hen ? 1o)ld be able to escape fro& far& 1ork and disco2er a 1orld beyond the flat and endless cropland.a 1orking bo1 and rosin that had not co&pletely dried 㰠 )p.? did not gi2e )p the desire.they 1o)ld host a barn dance and charge a s&all ad&ittance fee.

Dad led &e thro)gh the cl)sters of people spread abo)t the dance floor. 'here 1ere chairs along the 1alls and in the back 1e ca)ght a gli&pse of tables 1here they sold food and refresh&ents. Ad)lts see&ed to ha2e all the patience in the 1orld to stand aro)nd and gab. 'he interior of the barn see&ed to glo1 golden fro& the ceiling lights.G G? 1ill-G %harles ans1ered as he raced off for the stairs.looked at &e carrying &y 2iolin case and said 1ith a la)gh.'here 1ere a n)&ber of people o)t front talking.1hich 1as listening to a storyteller.1hich 1as also railed to keep kids and hay fro& t)&bling o)t.b)t a large string bass. ? 1as disappointed that ? co)ld not see a 2iolin )p there. At the front of the line.a&plifiers and an old piano. *y parents 1ere greeted by se2eral people o)tside the barn.G(o) &)st be part of the band.cara&el appleshay and a faint hint of co1 &an)re. At the tables in the back.b)t &y brother and ? 1ere sM)ir&ing to get inside and see 1hat this 1as all abo)t.G *y &other 1as delighted 1ith this opport)nity to socialiEe.&y dad interr)pted the con2ersation. *y dad asked hi&GAhereFs *ontyKG 'he &an pointed o2er to the side of the stage 1here there 1as a gro)p of people gathered. 'he barn had a dirt floor. %harlie asked &y dad.G ϟ Ae entered the barn.1e co)ld see an a&ple dance floor.and then another eternity for )s to &o2e thro)gh the line. #loise?F& going to take Al o2er to the stage.&y dad told &e to bring &y fiddle.stopping here and there to talk a bit.a co)ple of g)itarsa &andolin and a banIo.cara&el apples. *y brother and ? 1ere yo)ng eno)gh to get in for free. GOf co)rse-G #d ans1ered.G GAlright.1o&en sold soft drinks. G#$c)se &e. Ahen 1e got o)t of o)r car. ?n the front of the barn. One of the &)sicians 1as on stage r)nning a so)nd check.1here they 1o)ld pay three dollars and get their hands sta&ped.&y &o& 1as greeted by a gro)p of neighbor 1o&en 1ho s1ept her into their co&pany. After a &o&ent. Fro& o)r place in line.1ho 1as collecting the door fee. Ae co)ldnFt see the front of the barn fro& 1here 1e 1ere standing. Along the far 1all a staircase 1ith a railing cli&bed )p to the hayloft. #d Darling.ladies.&y dad paid ad&ittance for &y &o& and hi&self. %hildren fo)rteen and )nder 1ere ad&itted free. As 1e neared the stage.&any of the& s&oking cigarettes.
.? co)ld &ake o)t the lo1 stage thro)gh the cro1d of people standing aro)nd on the dance floor. ?t see&ed like it took fore2er for )s to get in line.and the barn e$haled a &i$ed odor of popcorn. ? co)ld see &ic stands.into that &agical glo1 and carni2al at&osphere.G%an ? go )p to the hayloftKG G@o right ahead. 'he bass 1as lying on its back atop a co)ple of bails of hay. G*onte =art here tonightKG &y dad asked. O2er the back of the barn 1as a hayloft.G ? st)ck o)t &y lip at hi& and said nothing. Ae 1alked o2er to the gro)p. G(o)Fll probably find hi& o2er by the stage.? co)ld see the &)sical instr)&entsnot I)st the old piano on the back of the stage. All of the instr)&ents e$cept the bass 1ere sitting in &etal holders.popcorn balls.and pie. 'here 1as a big popcorn &achine popping a1ay.1ith so&e hay stre1n abo)t and sto&ped into the dirt.>ohn. B)t stay o)t of tro)ble. As soon as 1e entered. Others for&ed a line at the door of the barn.fro& 1hich the la)ghter of children &i$ed 1ith the 2oices of ad)lts do1n belo1 and o)tside.

Ahile he did this. place tonight soFs ? can dance 1ith so&e of GAhat a yo) got.G *onte looked &e o2er as ? stood there holding &y 2iolin case. *y dad spoke )p before the storyteller co)ld dra1 o)t his 2iolin and check his t)ning. Once the la)ghter died do1n. G(o) need so&e ne1 rosin. =is skin 1as dark and leathery like &ost far&ers. 'he storyteller rosined his bo1 1hile they talked. And yo) 1ant I)st eno)gh rosin soFs the hairs 1ill grip the strings.1hich he sat on the stage beside his o1n and opened.G =e picked )p &y cake of rosin.b)t it co)ld )se restringin+.and bro1n eyes f)ll of 1ar&th and friendship.G(o) 1ant to tighten the hairs I)st eno)gh soFs they 1onFt to)ch the stick.a 1ork glo2e.lean &an 1ith sandy. Ahen he 1as satisfied. ?t looks straight eno)gh.he told &e. =e dre1 o)t the bo1 and tightened the hairs on it.SG'his fiddle co)ld )se so&e fine t)ners-G he &)tteredT. =e 1as regaling his listeners 1ith the story of a far&er 1ho tried to treat a sick goat by gi2ing it a la$ati2eres)lting in a hilario)s chase scene 1here the goat let fire at the far&er 1ith a 2ariety of indigestible hard1are. GAell.letFs take a look at this.>ohn.G(o) sho)ld ne2er to)ch the hairs of yo)r bo1. =is face 1as dra1n o)t and lined 1ith care.G =e picked )p the fiddle and t)cked it )nder his left chin. =e tightened the bo1 and sighted do1n the length of it along the hairs.'he storyteller 1as a tall. G=o1Fre yFall doinFKG GAell eno)gh-G &y father allo1ed. 'hat gets oils on the hair that+ll deaden yo)r so)nd.and a 1ad of tire patching co&po)nd that pl)gged )p the poor goatFs rect)& on its 1ay thro)gh. Passing the bo1 to his left hand. G=eFs been dri2inF )s n)ts e2er since he fo)nd &y granddadFs fiddle-G *y father e$plained.G =e pl)cked on the strings and cranked the t)ning pegs. ? need to get ready for the first set. =e looked the fiddle o2er. 'he storyteller opened a 2iolin case that 1as sitting on the edge of the stage.G *onte =art t)rned a1ay fro& his 2iolin and greeted )s. b)t not protr)si2e .he 1hipped thro)gh a co)ple scales and then la)nched into 'he De2ilFs Drea&. After testing and adI)sting the t)ning a bit.lea2ing &e and &y father standing there 1ith a fe1 other stragglers.1ith a long . ? co)ldnFt
. G? 1as hopinF yo) co)ld sho1 hi& a fe1 things. .G *onte set his bo1 in the case and s&iled do1n at &e.he shook 1ith &y father. nose. GSee&s to be in good shape. G(o) fi$inF to go on soonKG G?n a little 1hile.and then ballooned o)t 1ith e$cre&ent )ntil it e$ploded to the detri&ent of both goat and far&er.sonK (o) fi$inF to take &y the girlsKG =e 1inked at &e as ? shook &y head.a r)bber hose.G 'he cro1d dispersed.he told &e. 'his ainFt bad.b)t itFs old.G =e glanced in thro)gh the f-holesG'he so)nd post is in place.G As he applied rosin to the bo1.fro& spending his days in the s)n and the 1eather.he laid the 2iolin atop a bale of hay and took o)t the bo1. G*ontyKG G(es.the storyteller said.G ? handed hi& the case. 'hen the other fello1 hopped )p on stage and 1alked o2er to &ess 1ith his g)itar.short-cropped hair and a short beard.G?f yaFll 1ill e$c)se &e no1. One of the other band &e&bers approached to disc)ss the play list for the first set. ?F& s)re the fiddle co)ld )se a ne1 set of strings too.

F.then 1e need to set )p so&e reg)lar lessons.F. Dra1 the bo1 o2er the string. =ere take the fiddle. ?n his hands.especially 1ith all those people aro)nd.G?F& gonna need so&ebody to replace &e in this band sooner or later. G'he boy has talent-G *onte said.open.inde$ finger.he said. G=old it lightly.? had not prod)ced anything this close to &)sic.#.b)t in all &y pre2io)s efforts.G =e pointed to a position on the fingerboard. (o) 1ant to keep both ar&s loose and rela$ed.belie2e the so)nd he got o)t of the instr)&ent ? had spent the last co)ple &onths scratching at. =old the fiddle and the bo1 soFs yo) can dra1 the bo1 straight across the strings. GOkay. <ing finger. GJotice ho1 ? hold the bo1-G he said.GAell.Gand he has the dri2e to learn.&iddle finger.G
.A-G he called off the notes. G(o)Fll get )sed to it.parallel to the bridge. ?t 1o)ld be a sha&e to let that go to 1aste. And yo)r &iddle finger here.ar& crooked and elbo1 pointing do1n.G *onte e$c)sed hi&self. Jo1 back do1n. GAlbert =ayne. GDra1 it straight across.Q GAhatFs yo)r na&e. 'h)&b to)ching the )nderside right ne$t to the frog. G')ck it )nder yo)r left chin. And then yo)r ring finger there.G ? &anaged to hold it the 1ay he had. GCeep bo1ing.rela$.GAith a bit of practice.G 'he res)lt 1as scratchy. So&e people 1ill grab it in a 2ice grip.@GOkay. 'here yo) go.G *onte Ioked.back )p and then do1n again.Q *y father placed a fir& hand on &y sho)lder. 'o &e.G GPlease.G 'he notes 1ere a little off key.the fiddle ca&e to life.Dad.Dad-G ? begged.G =e de&onstrated.Albert =ayne. Albert can do chores for &e in e$change for his lessons.sonKG *onte asked &e. 'hatFs no good. G=old it like ? sho1ed ya.G *y dad agreed. Doosen )p. *y father and ? so)ght o)t &y &other.G ? had tro)ble stretching &y ring finger to reach the position he indicated.see &e after this set and ?Fll sho1 yo) the rest of that scale. ? told herG*onteFs gonna teach &e to play. GDonFt 1orry abo)t that.G ? tried to rela$ b)t it 1as diffic)lt. GOkay-G he handed &e the bo1. Say once a 1eek at &y place. G'hatFs better. Jo1 try to play that top string.G =e handed the 2iolin back to &e.@. G?Fll tell yo) 1hat.G G'hatFs a long sight better than heFs been doing.G =e ch)ckled.Q GOkay. GFingers across the top like this.G =e noted that &y father 1as intractable.G 'he bo1 bo)nced on the fiddle strings and ? gri&aced.yo)Fre 1ay too tense.G ')rning to &y father. Jo1 p)t yo)r inde$ finger here.b)t it 1as a1k1ard.G G? 1ill.then.>ohn.G =e reass)red &e. GAeFll see ho1 it goes. 㰠 #.the boyFll be playin+ in no ti&e.G ? did so.as the bo1 slid aro)nd 1hile ? dre1 it. G#2erybody does that at first. B)t if yo) really 1anna learn. =old yo)r ar& like this.G(o)Fll ha2e to keep )p yo)r ho&e chores and yo)r school 1ork.G *y father 1eighed *onteFs 1ords and his offer.G GAe canFt afford no lessons. GA.he said. G'hatFs okay.

and then see if yo) can find yo)r brother. ?t 1as like ? had been )nable to co&&)nicate all these years.G'hatFs I)st dandy. G?f he can keep )p 1ith his chores and his schoolin+-G &y father M)alified.G(o) p)t that fiddle back in the car.@. By the end of the e2ening.
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.G 'here 1as a trace of e$asperation in &y fatherFs 2oice.G G%an ? 1atch *onte playKG G?f thatFs 1hat yo) 1ant to do.and no1 so&eone 1as finally teaching &e ho1 to talk.G *y &other 1as 2ery pleased.father told &e. ? e2en &anaged to pick )p so&e easy licks by 1atching *onte on stage.? 1o)ld r)n o)t to the car and get &y 2iolin so *onte co)ld teach &e a little &ore.G ? fo)nd a spot right in front of the stage. G*onteFs goin+ to ha2e hi& 1ork off the lessons.and ? co)ld play a fe1 si&ple songs. GB)t p)t the fiddle a1ay first.and stood there the rest of the e2eningst)dying e2ery &o2e *onte &ade. D)ring the breaks bet1een sets.G *y &other ga2e &y father a little h)g.G G'hatFs fair.? co)ld r)n scales in %.D and A. Aith a s&ile on his face.

GAlbert. (o) said ? co)ld play barn dances once ? t)rned fifteen.so he left it at that. ? co)ld be a starHG G(o) do ha2e talent.b)t *onte co&pli&ented &e on the&.Q GOhH So yo) 1ant to be a &)sic star-G Father &ade the 1ords so)nd filthy and depra2ed. ? co)ld tell he 1as stri2ing to control his anger.G *y father pretended the con2ersation 1as o2er so he co)ld ret)rn to his breakfast. GAlbert.canFt ?KG GAlbert.*onteP.trying to c)shion her hard 1ords 1ith lo2e. G?F2e ind)lged yo) for too long.G G#2en *onte doesnFt try to &ake a li2ing at it.b)t ? pressed on.&y parents ga2e &e a s&all record player. ?tFll ne2er add )p to anything. ? co)ld go to Jash2ille and be a professional &)sician.b)t ? kept )p &y chores and &y school grades.?Fll not ha2e this con2ersation on the DordFs day.Albert. G*onte says ? ha2e &ore talent than he e2er had.G ? darted a glance at &y &other. =e took a drink of coffee and set his c)p back do1n before ans1ering. *onte 1as i&pressed by &y rate of progress.GSee.G G'hat kind of &oney is no good. For %hrist&as that year.he 2o1ed. 'hey 1ere si&ple things.and &ost of the& donFt s)cceed.G GB)t. ?t 1as on a S)nday &orning.1e hoped yo) 1o)ld gi2e )p this foolishness by no1. ? bided &y ti&e.like ? 1as born 1ith a fiddle )nder &y chin and a bo1 in &y hand.? 1as beginning to 1rite fiddle t)nes of &y o1n.he said.yo) 1ill notHG Father bello1ed.itFs ti&e to set aside these childish drea&s and begin preparing for the day 1hen yo) 1ill enter the se&inary.G 'o &y &other.G *y father had once said so&ething of that sort 1hen ? ca)ght hi& in a good &ood.&y &other did look h)rt.yo) 1ipe that crap o)t of yo)r head. =e said ? ca&e to the fiddle nat)rally. Father sat back fro& his )nfinished breakfast and regarded &e for a long &o&ent before sayingGSon. After a year? started learning t)nes fro& the radio.and ? kne1 no good 㰠 1o)ld co&e of it. ? soon had a large collection of fiddle &)sic in 2ario)s different styles.and on &y fifteenth birthday.G GB)t ? can Ioin a band no1.b)t she re&ained silent.G *other spoke )p. Ahen ? broached the s)bIect.or yo)Fre gonna lose yo)r
.at the breakfast table. GB)t so do all the other &)sicians in Jash2ille.b)t ? tho)ght that 1ith &y talent.both of &y parents beca&e 2ery so&ber. ? had been told since earliest childhood that ? 1o)ld be a priest.G GB)t ?Fll &ake &oney playing at barn dances-G ? arg)ed.? approached &y father abo)t Ioining a band and playing professionally.this is the DordFs day.they 1o)ld see the priesthood 1as not the place for &e.? took lessons once a 1eek fro& *onte and practiced e2ery day. G(o)Fd rather r)n aro)nd 1ith 1hores and dr)g p)shers than honorably ser2e the Dord.-& Con rontation For the ne$t fe1 years. *y father co&plained that ? spent too &)ch ti&e sa1ing the strings.G?Fll not see any son of &ine beco&e a &)sicianH Jo1. G? can help pay the bills.this is 1hat co&es of letting hi& play &)sicHG ')rning back to &e 1ith 2ehe&ence.G G(o) pro&ised.and he e2en played a co)ple of the& on stage.tho)gh she hid her pain. G(o) 1ill gi2e )p this nonsense and prepare for the priesthoodHG G? donFt 1ant to be a priest.G GB)t ? 1illHG GJo.G At this. By the ti&e ? 1as t1el2e.

? kne1 that ? 1as in big tro)ble no1.1here ? co)ld cry 1itho)t the& seeing &e. =e had ne2er &arried.he s&iled 1ith a certainty and pressed ho&e his tri)&ph.b)t &ostly ? 1as h)rt and forlorn.as tho)gh to say he 1anted &e o)t of his sight. *ostly ? fetched hi& parts and tools.? heard the creaky spring on the front screen door. =e not only 1orked on ho&e pl)&binghe also installed and &aintained irrigation syste&s.G ? started to protest.G*ay ? be e$c)sedKG G@o get ready for ch)rch. ? h)rried )p to &y roo&. ? 1o)ld co&e back so&e day and sho1 the& ho1 1rong they 1ere.kneeling in the cornfield 1ith the fiddle at &y side. 'aking the 2iolin case fro& )nder &y bed.p)&ps. ?t 1as al&ost a sort of apprenticeship in itself. GAlbertthis is itH (o) lost yo)r stereo and yo)r fiddleH %o&e )p here right no1. *onte 1as not ho&e 1hen ? got there. After a ti&e. =e had long ago sold off &ost of the far& land.? sn)ck o)t of the ho)se and &ade &y 1ay into the tall corn. Soon &y father co&e o)t of the ho)se and called for &e. =e said ? co)ld begin perfor&ing once ? 1as fifteen.keeping only a fe1 acres s)rro)nding the ho)se.? 1alked t1el2e &iles to *onteFs ho)se. 'hey headed off for ch)rch 1itho)t &e. *y drea&s of r)nning a1ay to Jash2ille and beco&ing a star had paled.beside hi&self 1ith anger. GFor goodHG =e glared at &e 1hile ? sat 1ith &y head h)ng do1n. *y father had gone back on his 1ord. By day he 1orked as a pl)&ber.b)t father 1o)ld not allo1 it.G =e ret)rned to his breakfast 1ith a ne1 appetite.hoses.sitting do1ncast 1hile they 1ent on 1ith their breakfast. Ahen *onte p)lled into the dri2e1ay in his pl)&berFs tr)ck loaded
. After a 1hile. ? 1as tired and h)ngry. ?nstead. ?t 1as f)ll of pipes. B)t no1 he &eant to take a1ay &y &)sic entirely. 'o do so 1o)ld ha2e cr)shed the life o)t of &e.1here they 1o)ld not be able to find &e. *y father 1as pleasantly s)rprised to find o)t ? co)ld tro)bleshoot si&ple proble&s 1ith o)r o1n irrigation syste&.&onotono)s roads.G ? said nothing. ? co)ld 㰠 &e apart fro& the rest of &y fa&ily.+ G:ery 1ell.special irrigation eM)ip&ent and spare parts.? asked 1itho)t raising &y head.so ? sat on his porch and 1aited for hi&.? &ade )p &y &ind to defy hi&. ? co)ld not &eet his eyes.1orn o)t fro& e&otional distress. After a 1hile. Jo1 ? felt like ? had to reIect &y fa&ily to sa2e &yself.? heard &y parents and &y brother lea2e the ho)se and load into the station 1agon.? 1alked along the straight. ? 1as getting h)ngry by that ti&e. GDo yo) )nderstandKG G(es Dad.? helped hi& repair irrigation eM)ip&ent in order to pay for &y 2iolin lessons. 'he old barn o)t back had been reno2ated into a 1ork shop.and yo)r fiddle.1hich kept hi& b)sy. *onte li2ed alone on his fa&ily far&. Aside fro& &o1ing the la1n and other ho)sehold chores. 'hen ? dried &y face on &y shirtslee2e. Aith all the rebellio)sness of adolescence. ? tho)ght abo)t r)nning a1ay to Jash2ille. Once he I)dged that he 1as in control. GAfter the ser2ice1e 1ill speak to Father OF<ielly abo)t beginning yo)r st)dies.b)t ? co)ld not acM)iesce.tearing kne1 this rift 1o)ld ne2er be repaired. After they left.and &y &other called &e fro& the porch.G Father ordered.yo)r record collection.stereo. And ? feel a rift opening )p in the cornfield.and ? 1onFt ha2e to )se &y beltHG ? stayed 1here ? 1as. B)t ? did not head for the interstate.

G Feeling he 1asnFt &aking his point.b)t he pro&ised ? co)ld start playing gigs.yo)r dad clings to a far& that 1ill be the death of hi&. GAhether right or 1rong. Ahile e2eryone aro)nd hi& gi2es )p.G *)ch as ? needed to hear this.? did not 1ant to listen. ?f he didnFt.*onte said. O)t before s)n )p.and he s&oked his Pall *alls.the tradition of har2est.he does lo2e yo).G? kno1 ho1 yo)r dad feels abo)t &)sic. B)t that+s the tradition. G?t takes a special kind of &an to be a far&er. (o)Fd be an )tter fail)re if yo) 1erenFt called to it.yo)r dadFs been fighting to hold onto that far& and keep that roof o2er yo)r headK =o1 &any fa&ily far&s do yo) kno1 in the last fi2e years that sold o)t to the big co&binesKG ? allo1ed there 1ere M)ite a fe1.once theyF2e sho)ldered fa&ily far&ers like yo)r dad o)t of the 1ay.1ith piping. And then.if he breaks this one tradition. 'hey d)&p so &)ch prod)ce on the &arket nobody else can &ake a profit. Follo1ing tradition has been his 1hole life. Far&ers li2e by their traditions and their faith in the nat)ral order.both yo) and ? kno1 yo) ainFt c)t o)t to be a priest.he 1ill gi2e )p his far& . (o) need to let hi& reason things o)t for hi&self. And ?F& 1illing to bet that neither does yo)r dad. ? ainFt got it in &e. And 1itho)t tradition.and to yo)r dadFs 1ay of thinking.*onte changed tact. And the faith that seeds planted 1ill gro1 into healthy crops0 faith that the land and the 1eather 1ill pro2ide. ? ha2e no desire to see yo) &iserable for the rest of yo)r life I)st to )phold yo)r dadFs traditions. GAgrib)sinesses o1n the land no1adays. GDo yo) kno1 that yo)r entire life.G G(eah. B)t.1orking the land all day on the hope that 1hen yo)r crop is ready yo) 1onFt take too &)ch of a scalping. Do yo) kno1 1hyKG ? shook &y head. 'hey depend on the s)n. G(o)r dad has reIected e2ery offer they &ade hi&.he 1ill lose faith in all traditions. 'hey li2e by an established order in the 1ay things happen.he ne2er 1o)ld ha2e bro)ght yo) to &e for lessons. =e depends on tradition to pro2ide for hi& and his fa&ily .G G? kno1 yo) donFt 1ant to be a priest.Albert.G *onte f)&ed for a &o&ent. #2en tho)gh he has to str)ggle e2ery year to pay off his debts and keep ahead of the ta$es.they offer the& pennies on the dollar for property theyF2e 㰠M)ietly been far&ing for generations. =e lo2es yo) 2ery &)ch0 heFs I)st ha2ing tro)ble reconciling 1hatFs in yo)r best interest 1ith his belief in tradition. =eFll do 1hatFs right in the end. and that 1ill kill hi&.G G? kno1. Ahen ? 1as finished.the rains.in yo)r fa&ily it is a tradition for the second son to beco&e a priest. Jo1.the seasons and the lifecycles of their crops.G ? told hi& abo)t &y proble&s. Ae sat on his porch s1ing 1hile 1e talked. G'radition. G=ad an e&ergency Iob at the *e)llersF.before going on. the tradition of planting.parts and tools. *onte parked his tr)ck by the side of the ho)se and greeted &e on the porch.2ery &)ch. ? 1asnFt e$pecting co&pany so early on a S)nday.? 1as relie2ed that ? 1o)ld finally be able to talk to so&eone 1ho 1o)ld )nderstand.G
. =e 1ishes yo)Fd ne2er fo)nd that fiddle.

G(o)F2e only got one &ore year to go.G %harlie gently interr)pted. =e 1as )nconscio)s.)nconscio)s.G 'o &y brother and ?. And he fract)red se2eral ribs.G Father ended the arg)&ent. 'hen he bo)nced and landed on his back. G>ohn.?F2e been thinking abo)t it.tripping hi& o2er the side of the loft.G? really did it this ti&e. #2ery day that ? co)ld not play the fiddle.and for the ne$t 1eek ? did not dare pick )p the 2iolin. 'en days after &y ret)rn.and still deter&ined that ? &)st gi2e )p &)sic and prepare to Ioin the priesthood.he said. ?t 1o)ld be craEy to gi2e )p on yo)r diplo&a no1. GAe all kno1 ?F& gonna inherit the far&.it co)ld be )p to another fi2e &onths before the casts ca&e off.%harlie. GAnd Albert can help too. ? 1as changing the oil in the station 1agon 1hen %harlie ca&e r)nning o)t of the barn sho)ting that o)r father 1as h)rt. Jo1 yo)Fre laid )p.he bo)ncedHG Fort)nately.G %harlie ass)red hi&. *y brother ca)tioned )s not to &o2e hi& for fear that he had broken his neck. G? kno1. Ae can talk later.G GJo. *y father 1as still angry.G *other gasped. Once he 1as released.G GJo.G G? seen so&e &ealy b)gs in the soybeans-G Father 1ent on. =e hollered as he fell.Dad.G G? can 1ork the far&-G *other arg)ed.&y an$iety rose.?F& gonna ha2e to take o2er all the 1ork.&i$ itP.de&anding o)r attention.lying on his back on the floor of the barn.and his right leg. roo&. %harlie. G? can take care of e2erything. Ahile 1e 1aited for the a&b)lance.G(o) boys are gonna ha2e to do all the 1ork for the ne$t fe1 &onths.Gafter yo) grad)ate fro& school this year.his spine 1as intact.G G%harlie. (o) donFt kno1 1hat needs to be done like Dad and ? do. ? had to apologiEe. *y father had gone )p to the hayloft to toss do1n a fe1 bails of hay.1hy donFt yo) I)st rest.1ith a sickening th)d and a cracking noise.& The Accident As agreed. Blood trickled fro& his &o)th.1e ha2e to talk no1.&y father had a bad accident. =e hit on his right side.G GDad.? ret)rned ho&e after a 1eek. So ?F& gonna M)it school. %harlie g)essed his foot got ca)ght on a piece of loose bailing 1ire. G?Fll be 1orkin+ f)ll days on the far&. 'here ainFt anything theyFre teachin+ &e in school thatFll better prepare &e for that. %harlie co)ld not get o2er that. After &y father regained conscio)sness1e had a fa&ily &eeting in the hospital .%harlie told )s 1hathappened. G=e bo)nced like so&e kinda ballH '1o feet in the air. Ahat happened to going to college and st)dying agric)lt)reKG
.in traction. G? seen )& too.that so)th field is d)e for another dose of fertiliEer.*a.Dad. GAell.boys-G Father said as 1e stood aro)nd his bed.G G? g)ess yo) 1ill be ready to take o2er-G o)r dad realiEed.. =e and %harlie 1ere 1orking in the barn 1hen he tripped and fell o)t of the hayloft. DonFt 1orry. B)t he had broken his collarbone.G GJo. 'he doctor told )s he had to re&ain in the hospital for o2er a &onth.G %harlie braced hi&self to tackle a to)chy s)bIect.b)t his sho)t 1as c)t short as the 1ind 1as knocked o)t of hi& )pon i&pact 1ith the gro)nd. 'here ainFt ti&e eno)gh for both. *y creati2e energy and &y e&otions 1elled )p inside beca)se ? co)ld not gi2e the& e$pression.tho)gh he did ha2e a se2ere case of 1hiplash.G *other stroked his left ar&.

? felt like *onte had thro1n &e a life preser2er. She talked 1ith *onte for a fe1 &in)tes.G GDonFt 1orry. ? did recei2e a co)ple of offers of errand boy-type 1ork.I)st )ntil after har2est.? began 1ork the 2ery ne$t day.G %harlie ga2e in.G GAny prospectsKG ? tho)ght of *cDonalds and gri&aced.G ? stepped )p to the plate. Ahat dFya sayKG GAhen do ? startKG Once again. 'he Iob &arket 1as tight.G Aith that settled. =o1 yo) folks &akin+ o)tKG G%harlieFs takinF o2er the far&. GOkay.G ? called &y &other to the phone. ? s)re co)ld )se so&e help. ? can pay yo) .G'hat 1as before this. So so&ebodyFs gonna ha2e to find a Iob to help pay off these hospital bills.listen Albert. (o) and yo)r &a can talk to Principal @arritt and see if yo) can arrange to spend &ore ti&e on the far&.and nobody 1anted a fifteen-year-old boy.G %harlie and ? e$ited a&id ass)rances to take it easy and not to 1orry abo)t anything. 6A* sharp.G G? tr)st yo) 1ill. G(o)Fll be a far sight &ore )sef)l to the far& 1ith an agric)lt)ral degree than 1itho)t one. Jo1.G G'hatFs gonna be to)gh.he offered his condolences. See&s like e2erybodyFs got pl)&bing proble&s. G%harlieFs gonna be b)sy eno)gh 1ith the far& and schoolinF. After a fe1 days.G GAell. three h)ndred a 1eek so long as the 1ork lasts. theirs is shot. say .? 1as desperate eno)gh to take a Iob at the local *cDonaldFs 1hen ? got a phone call fro& *onte.? 1o)ld like to talk to yo)r &other alone. AeFre gonna need that agric)lt)re degree to keep this far& in the fa&ily. *y &other said she 1o)ld bring &e to his place in the &orning.&y father &o2ed on to other &atters. =o1 are things goin+KG G=eFll be in the hospital for the ne$t &onth and a half. G?Fll find a Iob. B)t yo) 1ill grad)ate high school. GJo.? got 1ork pilin+ )p right no1.she ga2e &e per&ission to 1ork 1ith hi&. ?t+ll be at least si$ &onths before the casts co&e off.Dad.Dad.G %harlie directed his gaEe o2er o)r father laid )p in the hospital bed. G? 1as sorry to hear abo)t yo)r father. She aro)ndKG G(eah. ? started looking for 1ork the 2ery ne$t day. Ae got a &onth before school starts )p. Jo real prospects. 빐ϟ After sal)tations. #2en so. G'o&orro1.b)t they paid ne$t to nothing. ? better talk to yo)r &o& abo)t this before 1e call it a deal. G? ha2e faith in yo) both.&y stay here is gonna cost )s in the neighborhood of fifteen h)ndred dollars. L
.G 'his 1as rare praise fro& &y father. Aard 1ants &e to install an entirely ne1 irrigation syste& . (o) already ha2e a fair handle on the b)siness. After *onte ass)red her he co)ld really )se the help and he 1as not being o2erly genero)s.1ith so&e help fro& *o&. (o) are both good boys. As agreed. ?F& lookinF for a Iob to help pay the hospital bills. G? &ade s)re 1eF2e got pretty good health co2erage.G *y father t)rned to &e no1.b)t 1as soon disheartened. *onte insisted he co)ld r)n &e ho&e 1hen 1e finished the dayFs 1ork.

as 1e did not 1ant to take ad2antage of the sit)ation. AonFt nobody fa)lt yo) for taking a little pleas)re after a hard dayFs 1ork.? got in an ho)r of practice e2ery day. *onte shook his head in astonish&ent.?F& ai&inF to 1in it. G(o) I)st keep gettinF better. (o)Fll need to fly o2er that fingerboard I)st to keep )p. 'his beca&e o)r ro)tine after 1ork.follo1ed by Bea)&ont <ag.ho1 &y brother and &y &o& 1ere doing 1ith the far&. ? 1o)ld eat a snack *onte offered &e and 1atch tele2ision1hile he took care of paper1ork. *onte lingered 1hile ? dre1 o)t the fiddle and the bo1 and prepared to play. First priEe in each co&petition 1as one tho)sand dollars.and 2indicate &yself as a &)sician.G GJo. After a &o&ent.G
. =e told &e there 1as a bo$ of don)ts on the kitchen table. After the third day of 1ork.and &ilk in the refrigerator.*onte.it 1as abo)t 1ork.Q =e listened a &o&ent longer before heading into the roo& he )sed for an office.G 'hat 1as all the in2itation ? needed.banIo. After &y &o& dropped &e off at 6A*.a sad la&ent 1ith ob2io)s ?rish infl)ences. As a part of the festi2althey 1ere going to ha2e co&petitions for fiddle. ? 1o)ld play the fiddle 1hile *onte took care of the office 1ork. 'here 1as no do)bt in &y &ind0 ? kne1 ? co)ld 1in that contest. (o)F2e only got the ne$t fi2e days. Beside the bo$ of don)ts. On *onday &orning of the follo1ing 1eek. Both of )s &ade it a point to a2oid talking abo)t &)sic. =e 1o)ld finally recogniEe ? had to p)rs)e that talent. B)t yo)Fre gonna ha2e to practice e2ery day.? co)ld pay off &)ch of &y fatherFs hospital bill. 'he &o&ent ? read abo)t this contest.and there+ll be a lot of good fiddlers. #2en &y father 1o)ld ha2e to ad&it &y tr)e talent 1as &)sic. Ahen *onte stepped o)t of his office.G G? can 1in this co&petition. Ae did not talk &)ch o2er the first fe1 days.and 1e 1o)ld 1ork )ntil three or fo)r .he ca)ght &e staring at his fiddle case sitting in the corner of the li2ing roo&.? 1a2ed the flyer in the air and told hi&G'heyFre ha2in+ a fiddle contestH First place gets one tho)sand dollarsHG GAnd ? s)ppose yo)Fre ai&inF to enter this contest. So&e of the& spend their 1hole year preparing for this. 'hen 1e 1o)ld stop by *onteFs ho)se before he took &e ho&e.G? kno1 yo) can.? 1o)ld load tools and s)pplies onto the tr)ck 1hile *onte &ade phone calls and attended to other &atters.&andolin and g)itar. ? feel it in &y bonesH ?Fll 1in thisHG *onte had been st)dying &e as ? spoke. ? po)red &yself a glass of &ilk and sat do1n at the table.? kne1 ? co)ld 1in it. 'his 1ay.G G=old on a &in)te.there 1as a flyer anno)ncing a &)sic festi2al in Salina that )pco&ing 1eekend.and &ade &ore phone calls.checked his ans1ering &achine for &essages. of before 1e headed o)t. By 1inning first priEe. Ae 1ere )s)ally at a Iob site by se2en-thirty. ? started 1ith a little <osin the Bo1. G?f yo) 1ant to play 1hile ? take care of the office 1ork. 'hen ? played a slo1 air ? had co&posed.*onte kept &e b)sy and the days passed by.1hen 1e stopped at *onteFs.go right ahead.after ? had loaded )p the tr)ck*onte still had a little b)siness to take care.he said.or ho1 &y father 1as getting along. G'hat contest is this Sat)rday. And 1hen 1e did. 1ith a break for l)nch.G *onte so)ght to te&per &y enth)sias&.

yo) ha2e to get per&ission fro& yo)r &o&. B)t if she says no. G%+&on.G ? 1inced. =e had entered the ho)se 1itho)t &e e2en hearing hi&. ? let go of e2erything b)t that fiddle and the &)sic that sang thro)gh it. As ? 1o)nd )p an e$tended i&pro2isation. ? realiEed ? 1as too concerned 1ith 1inning the contest. G'his old fiddle ainFt ne2er been played like that.G =e reached o)t and ? handed hi& the 2iolin.*onte. ? had to let go of e2erything else and open that fo)ntain of creati2ity that flo1ed 1hen ? 1as playing at &y absol)te best.G ? nodded.G ? debated for a &o&ent.G =e shook his head in a1e.G L
.G ? 1as ready to do 1hate2er ? had to in order to enter that contest. GAnd ?Fll take yo) to the festi2al Sat)rday to &ake s)re yo) get signed )p for the co&petition. Ae gotta get a &o2e on if yo)Fre gonna gi2e &e a f)ll dayFs 1ork in 1hatFs left of this &orning.G GOkay. ')rning to face &e.?Fll tell her. G? ainFt ne2er heard the likes.this 1hole 1eek 1ill ha2e been for na)ght.then she 1o)ld ha2e less opport)nity to &ention it to &y father. *onte 1as so tall. ? let go of the contention 1ith &y parents o2er &y fiddle playing. (o) 1ork 1ith &e in the &orninF. B)t she 1as a little softer in her resistance than he 1as.he leaned back against the co)nter 1hile he drank his coffee and considered.G GAlright. GB)t before yo) can go. G'hatFs 1here ? li2e. ? soon li&bered )p.he co)ld al&ost sit on the co)nter 1itho)t taking his feet off the floor.G *onte st)bbed o)t his cigarette and g)lped do1n the last of his coffee.? spent the afternoons practicing the fiddle. *y &other had sided 1ith &y father. G? o1n that fingerboard. B)t so&ething still kept &e fro& gi2ing it &y all. 'hatFs )p to yo). G'hat 1as so&ething. (o) can tell yo)r &o& or forget it. ? let go of the contest.Q GFine. ? let go of &y dad+s inI)ries and o)r econo&ic 1oes. 봀 GB)t yo) 1ill tell herKG G(eah. ?+ll not be a party to sneaking behind yo)r parentsF back.if yo) like. G?F& gonna 1ork yo)r b)tt off in the &orninF to &ake )p for the short days.*onte po)red hi&self a c)p of coffee and lit a Pall *all. And 1e co)ld s)re )se the &oney. G%anFt 1e I)st tell her 1e ha2e to 1ork on Sat)rdayKG GJo. GOkay.G G?Fll 1ait.hereFs 1hat 1eFll do. G(o) can 1ait )ntil Friday to tell her.G G@ood.G ? kne1 *onte 1o)ld not fail &e.G ?f ? did not tell her )ntil Friday. =e looked at the instr)&ent as tho)gh it 1ere foreign to hi&.G L For the ne$t fe1 days. (o) do that at the co&petition and yo)+re s)re to 1in.G ? ass)red hi&.Q G'hatFs fine.G *onte kne1 ? did not ha2e &)ch of a choice. 'hen at noon ?Fll bring yo) back here soFs yo) can practice.so&eone began appla)ding and ? realiEed *onte had ret)rned.

'he central fairgro)nds pro2ided open seating for the &ain stage.as people filed into the fairgro)nds.so 1e 1ere able to park close to the entrance. G'hat 1o)ld hardly be fair to the other contestants.2ario)s confections and fried foods e&anated fro& the food tents.G ? sat do1n &y fiddle case and took one of the pencils lying loose on the table to fill o)t the for&.Bobby %o&stock. 'he &i$ed aro&a of popcorn. She ga2e hi& a &ap and pointed o)t 1here the contest tent 1as in relation to 1here 1e 1ere. *onte co&plained abo)t ha2ing to pay three dollars to park. ?n addition to the &ain stage. Scaffolding ran )p to a ceiling that held lights for the nightti&e perfor&ances. Both stages stood only three feet off the gro)nd. After orienting o)rsel2es.*onte.along 1ith a &)ltit)de of folding seats for the a)dience. 'his stage 1as s)rro)nded by a&plifiers and eM)ip&ent.standing abo)t fi2e feet abo2e the gro)nd.G *onte testified for &e.in addition to the ad&ittance fee.1e co)ld hear ha&&ering and the occasional 툀Ϟ h)& of feedback as roadies and so)nd technicians &ade last &in)te preparations.1hoFs
. Fro& the different stages. ?t 1as a large platfor& in the back of the fairgro)nds. Jo1 he teaches &e.G =e hailed )s as 1e stepped )p to the table. O)r tickets cost t1enty-fi2e dollars a piece.it looked like nothing b)t a I)&ble of tents peaking o2er a tall fence.b)t he ainFt bothered to sign )p yet. Fro& the o)tside.G 'he gentle&an raised an eyebro1 as he slid a for& in front of &e. 'he table at the fiddle tent 1as &anned by an elderly gentle&an 1ho kne1 *onte.1e headed to the fiddle tent. GDid yo) teach this boy e2erything yo) kno1KG G=e grad)ated fro& &y instr)ction a fe1 years ago. G=ere ya go sonny. Ae co)ld see the &ain stage opposite the entrance. Perhaps 1e o)ght to I)st cancel the contest and gi2e this boy first priEe. >ack 'rentFs been aro)nd./& 0i(h Stakes 'he festi2al site 1as at a fairgro)nd 1ell o)tside of the city.G *onte ch)ckled. 'he right stage had a cleared o)t area in front of it to pro2ide a dance floor.G 'he gentle&an looked &e o2er. 'he left stage had seats al&ost )p to the front of the stage.he asked.there 1ere t1o secondary stages to o)r i&&ediate right and left as 1e entered the festi2al gro)nds. 'he fairgro)nds had a carni2al at&osphere. People 1ere I)st beginning to trickle in.1ith seats arranged aro)nd the edge. Jor did 1e ha2e to stand in line long before being ad&itted into the festi2al gro)nds.G After a pa)se. Sa2e o)rsel2es the tro)ble. G'hatFs pretty tall praise. G=eFs easily t1ice the fiddle player ? e2er 1as. *onte asked the ticket seller for directions to the fiddle contest. (o) really that goodKG G? hope so. 'hese 1ere s&aller platfor&s ho)sed )nder large sM)are tarpa)lins. B)t thereFs this yo)ng g)y.GAho allFs gonna be in the contest this yearKG G*)ch the sa&e as )s)al. 'here 1as the drone of &)ltiple con2ersations. #ach contest tent had a table o)t front 1here they 1ere registering contestants. G=ey. %o)rse. G? tho)ght yo) co)ldnFt enter this contest any&ore.G G? canFt. 'hatFs 1hy ? had to train this lad to take &y place.G G'hatFs so.heFs the fa2orite.

%li&bing on that stage. 'hen ? ran a fe1 scales to 1ar& &yself )p. ?t 1as a rollicking fiddle breakdo1n. Ahen called. Before long.? offered so&e 2ariations that &o2ed the &elody )p the neck to third position.
. ? la)nched the t)ne 1ith the c)sto&ary fanfare.as recorded by Alan Do&a$ for the Dibrary of %ongress. ? nodded to *onte. Only >ack 'rent regarded &e openly. #2eryone 1as biding their ti&e. Phyllis and Bobby co&pli&ented &e on &y playing. B)t the effect is M)ite ro)sing.a 1orld ? had been trying to find all &y life. ?t took so&e ti&e to 1ork thro)gh the f)ll list of contestants.? noticed so&e people 1ere act)ally standing as they appla)ded.=. Fe1 fiddlers play the t)ne as Steppe did beca)se it reM)ires ret)ning the fiddle.? took &y fiddle and &ade for the stage. On &y third pass thro)gh. %opeland lifted the t)ne fro& the playing of Cent)cky fiddler A. As ? left the stage. =e checked his t)ning on the 1ay.it capt)red the a)dienceFs fancy.? 1as s)rprised by the n)&ber of fiddlers 1ho signed )p for the contest. 'his bro)ght &ore hoots fro& the a)dience. Dropping back do1n to the first position.played a ro)sing &edley of ?rish Iigs.? 1as di&ly a1are of the appla)se and cheering.it 1as so dis&issi2e and conte&pt)o)s. ? took &y fiddle o)t of the case and checked the t)ning.people began to hoot and holler. O)t of the corner of &y eye. Jobody talked &)ch. ? took so&e deep breaths and tried to rela$.=oedo1n. All of the other fiddlers listened 1hile pretending not to. *ost of the& 1ere ner2o)s and sho1ed it. 'he other stando)t 1as a &an of abo)t thirty.not &)ch older than &e.1ho& ? g)essed to be >ack 'rent.sitting in the front ro1.the first ro)nd of the co&petition began. *ost 1ere ill at ease. Steppe.as ? checked &y t)ning. 'ho)gh ? tried not to let it.he grabbed his fiddle and headed for the stage as if it 1ere ti&e to ha2e a little f)n.as did a fe1 of the other contestants. Ahen Daryl *etcalf called &y n)&ber. 'here 1ere a fe1 1hoops fro& the a)dience. 'he only person 1ho see&ed to be i&&)ne 1as a fello1 not &)ch yo)nger than *onte. 'he tension in the practice tent 1as contagio)s. A yo)ng 1o&an na&ed Phyllis Abel.so&ething abo)t that look )nner2ed &e. *any people are fa&iliar 1ith the &elody of BonaparteFs <etreat beca)se Aaron %opeland )sed it as the basis for his classical co&position.na&ed Bobby %o&stock.dropping the botto& string do1n to a lo1 D and dropping the top string do1n to D as 1ell. B)t there 1ere a co)ple that stood o)t.? finished &y third pass thro)gh and then tagged on the &ock-#gyptian ending that neither Steppe nor %opeland )sed in their 2ersions.dri2ing 2ersion of Dost =igh1ay Bl)es. Ahen he e$ec)ted a short chro&atic sh)ffle in the finale. =e left the stage 1ith the air that he had I)st been 1ar&ing )p.establishing that ? kne1 1hat ? 1as abo)t. he held hi&self 1ith a s1agger that said he o1ned this tent. At the contest. LϞ 툀 *y an$iety 1as &o)nting. Ahile this festi2al 1as geared &ore to1ard A&erican folk stylesher perfor&ance shook the a)dience o)t of their lethargy.lo)d and high-spirited 1ith lots of drones and sh)ffling. =e 1orked the stage and the a)dience as he played bl)esy slides and do)ble-stops.and hit the stage 1ith a hard. 'he look he ga2e &e stopped &e short. =e ended 1ith a grin and an ass)red bo1 to the a)dience.it 1as like ? had stepped into another 1orld.

t)rning &y gaEe to the &ain tent. G'he g)y is good.?F& fine-G ? ass)red her. ? looked o2er to catch >ack 'rent gi2ing &e a look f)ll of loathing. 'he I)ice and the air ser2ed to re2i2e &e.G 'hey had been listening to >ack 'rent perfor&.G'hat &eans one of yo) 1ill ha2e to beat hi&. Both Phyllis and Bobby 1ere looking at &e 1ith concern.>ack 'rent 1as setting the tent on fire 1ith a 2ery hot 2ersion of =ang&anFs <eel. Bobby shook his head as he listened. G? g)ess it 1as the e$cite&ent of &y first perfor&ance in front of an a)dience. ? broke o)t in a s1eat as ? so)ght to reIect that night&are and dri2e all tho)ght of it o)t of &y &ind.please. G(o) look pale.so 1rapped )p had ? been in &y internal battle. =e directed a look at the three of )s that said.as tho)gh daring &e to say anything. GAre yo) okayKG Phyllis asked &e 1ith concern. 'hereFs so&ething abo)t hi& that r)bs &e the 1rong 1ay. ? had not e2en heard hi& called to the stage. ? sat do1n.()*m kin& of this mountain% and don*t you for&et it"( =is arrogance 1as appalling. G=e doesnFt deser2e to 1in-G Phyllis stated.1here contestant n)&ber eight 1as finishing his t)ne.hit &e 1ith a 1a2e of shock and fright.G GFeeling betterKG Phyllis inM)ired. Dooking at )s. ? s)cceeded in casting it a1aytho)gh ? co)ld feel it 1aiting for the opport)nity to co&e forth and to)ch &e.Ahile listening to the ne$t contestant.>ack 'rent left the stage and ret)rned to the practice co)rt. 'ho)gh ? a& rel)ctant to call any h)&an being e2il. She p)lled the tab off 툀Ϟ the can and offered it to &e.b)sying hi&self 1ith his fiddle. G(o) better take a seat-G Bobby indicated a chair. 'hen he looked back at &e. ? conceded )nder his glare.G?F& alright.G G? ha2e so&e I)ice in &y pack. And his stare in2oked the e2il presence fro& &y drea&s.1ith a hint of potential 2iolence.b)t ? donFt kno1.G >)st at that &o&ent.? felt so&eone staring at &e. After e&ptying the can.1ith e2eryone aro)nd &e.
. G(es.&erciless hatred that 1as so plain in his eyes. G'hanks.she said.there 1as e2il in the stare >ack 'rent directed at &e. =is a)dio pyrotechnics had the a)dience on the edge of their seats.G L On stage. =e 1alked 1ith a s1agger b)ilt )pon the ad)lation of the a)dience and his o1n sense of self-i&portance.G Phyllis d)g into the pack and dre1 o)t a can of apple I)ice.? took a deep breath.tho)gh ? insisted 1eakly.G ? nodded &y head in agree&ent.G Phyllis indicated the backpack by her 2iolin case. GAo)ld yo) like a drinkKG G(es. ? accepted the can and drank. ?t 1o)ld not ha2e been s)rprising if his fiddle had started s&oking as he reached the coda and dre1 the t)ne to a close. 'he cold. 'he apple I)ice 1ashing thro)gh &e and cleansing &e of the taint. So&ething in the ani&osity >ack directed at &e a1akened &y &e&ory of the &ale2olent presence fro& &y drea&s of the night before. =e glanced a1ay. 'hat presence 1as reaching o)t to &e in the practice co)rt.

and ga2e her a chance to sho1 off so&e perc)ssi2e techniM)es. ? 1as M)ite i&pressed.slo1ing the te&po at this stage in the ga&e.flo1ing by the tracks.and it began ch)gging do1n the tracks. ? 1as taking a big chance. 'here 1ere &ore train 1histles.ans1ering 1ith their 1histles. Ahile this t)ne rarely fails to rile )p an a)dience. ?t had been a ga&ble. 'he a)dience er)pted into a steady chor)s of appla)se that contin)ed thro)gh the re&ainder of the song. ?ts concl)sion 1as &et 1ith appla)se and not a fe1 1histles.? ca)ght a glance at >ack 'rent.? had played the t)ne in pretty &)ch the standard fashion. 'hey kne1 they 1ere 1itnessing so&ething ne2er heard before. 'here 1ere 1hoops and cheers. B)t ? had a trick )p &y slee2e. Before entering the contest tent.then ? fell into the train sh)ffle as the scenery fle1 by &e.in a procla&ation that ? had conM)ered this &o)ntain.Bobby.so he co)ld sho1 off his do)ble-stopping pro1ess on 'he @ardenia AaltE. B)t no1 it 1as ti&e to i&press the I)dges. =er perfor&ance 1as aggressi2e. So far. 'he 1altE 1as a sho1case of BobbyFs &astery. ? 1as )p ne$t. Once ? had established the ne1 key.and so 1as the a)dience. Any 툀Ϟ fiddler 1ho has &astered the sh)ffle has this piece )nder his belt. 'he left hand gy&nastics in this piece &ade it a &ost i&pressi2e feat. ? h)rried onto the stage before he co)ld do &ore da&age.eying &e cold and s&)g. ? so)nded the horn on &y stea& loco&oti2e.e2eryone 1as eli&inated fro& the co&petition b)t for Phyllis. Jo one 1as s)rprised.b)t &ost had fallen silent.and 1hile it is sho1y.cli&bing right )p to the s)&&it of that &o)ntain. A&erica as 'ho&as Aolfe had seen it. L Phyllis began the ne$t ro)nd 1ith a &edley of slip Iigs.b)rning )p the tracks as ? headed for ho&e. Approaching the s)&&it. 'he a)dience 1as 1hooping it )p by this ti&e. ? e$ec)ted the sh)ffle as if it had been &eant to be played that high )p the neck. ? let the s)spense b)ild I)st a little 1hile longer as the loco&oti2e cli&bed higher and higher. 'he look chipped at &y self-confidence. For this second ro)nd. Bobby bo1ed to the a)dience and left the stage. ? &od)lated )p a fifth as the train cli&bed )phill.Ahen the I)dges &ade their decision. Other trains 1ent by.b)t it paid off. 'he piece has been perfor&ed too &)ch.? kne1 e2eryone 1ho 1as at all fa&iliar 1ith the 2iolin 1as 1aiting to see ho1 ? 1o)ld e$ec)te the rest of the t)ne fro& )p the neck. *y train p)lled into the station tri)&phant and gro)nd to a halt.? b)ilt )p stea& )ntil ? 1as &o2ing at a fast pace.trying to take in e2ery note.it is considered o2errated by &any fiddlers. Slo1ly. 'he other fiddlers packed )p and left.and then ? reached the &o)ntain.? 1ent into the sh)ffle. 'hen ? tore do1n the other side.b)t ? denied it access by concentrating on &y perfor&ance.? fle1 thro)gh the &elody like a description of the passing co)ntryside. Bobby took a chance on slo1ing do1n the pace to a 1altE te&po. Fro& here.it doesn+t offer a 1ide range of techniM)e. 'hat presence 1as trying to break in and in2ade &y conscio)sness. And there on the &o)ntainFs peak.? so)nded the trainFs 1histle for all the 1orld to hear.>ack and &yself.? chose to perfor& Orange Blosso& Special.
. ?t 1as like ? had set off a bo&b inside the tent.b)t Bobby &ade it so)nd like childFs play.

=o1 did yo) do that sh)ffleK Aere yo) act)ally barring the fiddleKG GSort of. Phyllis 1as holding &y ar&. ? st)&bled into the practice co)rt in a daEe.it al&ost appeared that he 1as playing a fiendish d)et 1ith so&e shado1y dU&on.? had to take a co)ple bo1s and 1a2e to the a)dience before they 1o)ld begin to M)iet do1n.G >ack 'rent fle1 thro)gh 'he De2ilFs Drea& faster and faster 1ith each repeat. G%ontestant n)&ber nine 1ill be playing 1hat he calls 'he De2ilFs *edley.?F& okay.kid. GSteady as she goes-G he said. And then the a)dience 1ent 1ild.? co)ld s1ear there 1ere t1o >ack 'rents standing side by side on stage.G G*ost folks get stage fright before the perfor&ance-G Bobby Ioked. Before she co)ld say anything.b)t ?F& gonna b)rn yo)r so)l.looking o)t )pon this contest as tho)gh it 1as a part of &y drea&. As he neared the end of the second t)ne. G? bar it for the botto& notes.beca)se Bobby reached o)t an ar& to s)pport &e. ? felt like ? 1as back in &y night&are. As ? passed by hi&.Q 'hen she noticed the conf)sion on &y face. Aith his left hand on &y sho)lder al&ost as tho)gh to hold &e steady.a poisono)s spear lanced o)t and stabbed &e to the heart.he p)&ped &y right ar& a 2igoro)s handshake.looking into &y face 1ith alar&. Ahate2er ? had I)st acco&plished on stage 1as lost. 'here 1as a &o&ent of disbelie2ing silence as >ack lo1ered his bo1 and fiddlebreathing hard and 1obbling on his feet.G 'his last title hit ho&e for &e.he began inIecting contrap)ntal do)ble-stops. And faster and faster &y head sp)n aro)nd.G GAre yo) alrightKG Phyllis fretted abo)t &e as tho)gh she &ight ha2e to catch &e as ? fell.both playing the fiddle. GAre yo) s)re yo)Fre alrightKG Phyllis asked &e again.'he De2il a&ong the (earlings.ho1e2er.Bobby had sp)n &e aro)nd to face hi&.
. ?Fll be fine 1hen this is o2er. ? felt like ? 1as falling to1ard so&ethingfalling an i&&eas)rable distance thro)gh darkness to1ard so&e sharp and pointy spike. G?F2e ne2er heard anything like that.stalked by so&e &enacing e2il deter&ined to bring &e do1n and feast on &y carcass.blinding pass at the t)ne. >)st as >ack finished his last. G=e 1ill begin 1ith 'he De2ilFs 'ea 'able. ? closed &y eyes as &y head began to spin. G(eah. ?t did not register 1hen Phyllis ga2e &e a h)g.1eak and 2)lnerable. >ack 'rent directed a Ϟ kno1ing s&ile at )s as the e&cee listed the툀 t)nes in the &edley.G 'he e&ceeFs anno)nce&ent ser2ed &e yet another shock.follo1ed by 'he De2il a&ong the (earlings-G >ackFs s&ile intensifiedGand concl)ding 1ith 'he De2ilFs Drea&. Ae t)rned o)r attention back to the stage as the e&cee introd)ced >ack 'rent.it so)nded like there 1as &ore than one fiddler on the stage.G =is 1ords )nner2ed &e. B)t then ? raise )p to &y finger tip and slide )p for the do)ble-stops. 'o &y fe2erish i&agination. ? &)st ha2e been 1obbling on &y feet. G(eah. ?n so&e of the passages. ? 1as st)&bling in a fog.G ? fo)ght &y 1ay o)t of the fog to ans1er.speeding )p his te&po in anticipation of the ne$t piece. ?n the ne$t t)ne. GJo1 that 1as so&ething.he said in a 2oice so lo1 only ? co)ld hear itG?&pressi2e. >ack 1orked thro)gh the first t)ne of his &edley al&ost as a 1ar& )p. >ack 'rent 1as standing I)st inside the contest tent 1ith fiddle in handsco1ling at &e.

GOkay- letFs go;G Daryl led )s )p on stage to stand in order/ Phyllis- Bobby- &yself and >ack; >ack leaned to1ard &e and said in a M)iet- conte&pt)o)s 2oice- G? didnFt kno1 yo) 1ere friends 1ith *onte =art;G G=e 1as &y teacher;Q >ack fro1ned at &e- then so)ght o)t *onte in the a)dience and s&irked at hi&; ? realiEed that so&eho1 ? had gi2en hi& an additional reason for not liking &e; 'he e&cee stepped to the &ike at the front of the stage; GAttention please; 'he I)dges ha2e reached a decision;G She 1aited for the a)dience to M)iet do1n before contin)ing; She let the s)spense b)ild for a &o&ent; G'he honorable &ention goes to Phyllis Abel;G Phyllis stepped )p to accept a ribbon and a certificate; She shook hands 1ith the e&cee and ret)rned to her place; 'he e&cee 1aited for the appla)se to die do1n before contin)ing; G'hird place goes to Bobby %o&stock;G Bobby stepped )p 1ith a big grin to accept his a1ard; =e ga2e the e&cee a hearty handshake- and stooped to the &icrophone; G'hank yo) 2ery &)ch;G 'here 1as &ore appla)se and a co)ple of 1histles as he ret)rned to his place; Once it 1as M)iet again- the e&cee said- GAnd no1- for the first ti&e in the history of this contest- the I)dges ha2e been )nable to &ake a decision; So 1e are going to try so&ething )n)s)al to break this tie; Ae+ll ha2e the t1o contestants trade solos on a t)ne )ntil there+s a clear 1inner;G ? felt the blood drain o)t of &y head; >ack ch)ckled and 1hispered to &e- GPrepare to &eet yo)r &aker;G 툀Ϟ 1as standing beside &e handing &e &y 'he ne$t thing ? kne1- Daryl *etcalf fiddle; =e asked- GAre yo) s)re yo)Fre )p to thisKG G(es-G ? ans1ered- tho)gh ? had to 1onder; >ack prod)ced his o1n fiddle fro& so&e1here; GAre yo) both fa&iliar 1ith the t)ne D)sty *illerKG the e&cee asked; Ae nodded in response; GOkay; ?Fll tell yo) ho1 1eFre gonna do this; G'o acco&pany yo)- 1e ha2e an e$cellent g)itarist- Ste2e <edpath- of the gro)p %lear %reek; Ste2e- can yo) co&e )p hereKG Ste2e appeared fro& the side of the stage; =e 1as in his late t1enties or early thirties- a little )nder si$ feet tall- sli&- 1ith 1a2y black hair not M)ite to his sho)lders and a dark &o)stache; =e 1as a handso&e g)y 1ith an attit)de that 1as at the sa&e ti&e self-ass)red and cas)al; =e had a 1ay of p)tting e2eryone aro)nd hi& at ease; At his side- he carried a *artin g)itar; =e trailed a cord fro& an electric pick)p; GDetFs thank Ste2e for helping o)t;G 'he e&cee enco)raged appla)se fro& the a)dience; G?tFs good of yo) to be here-G she told Ste2e; G?F& happy to lend a hand-G Ste2e replied; 'he e&cee t)rned back to )s; GSte2e is going to back yo) )p; (o) 1ill each take t1o solos- alternating bet1een yo); #ach solo 1ill &ake t1o f)ll passes at the t)ne; (o) can play 1hate2er yo) 1ant- so long as it fits the chord changes- b)t yo) 1ill be I)dged on ho1 1ell yo) e$plore the &elody; 'he first soloist 1ill be gi2en an e$tra r)n thro)gh the t)ne to start off; 'his r)n sho)ld be )sed to spell o)t the basic t)ne- 1ith &ini&al e&bellish&ent; And the final soloist 1ill be gi2en an e$tra pass at the t)ne to reestablish the &elody , 1ith &ini&al e&bellish&ent , and to bring it to a close;G

'he e&cee d)g into her pocket- G?F& going to thro1 a coin to decide 1ho goes first; =eads itFs >ack- tails itFs Albert;G She flipped the coin into the air- ca)ght it as it descended- and clapped it to the back of her left hand; Ae both cro1ded in to see as she dre1 her right hand a1ay; G=eads it is;G She slipped the M)arter back into her pocket; G(o)Fll start off- >ack- and Albert 1ill finish;G She stepped back to take in Ste2e <edpath as 1ell as )s; G(o) g)ys 1ant to check and &ake s)re yo)Fre in t)neKG Ste2e played a @ chord; >ack had to adI)st his fine t)ners a bit; Ahen he 1as done- the e&cee said- GOkay- here 1e go; And good l)ck to yo) both;G L Ste2e looked at )s; GOkay- g)ys; On fo)r;G 'hen he co)nted o)t the ti&e for )sG - 20 - 2- !- 4;G >ack ca&e in on the first beat- perfectly in sync 1ith Ste2eFs rhyth& g)itar; =e stated the &elody si&ply and s1iftly- al&ost off-handed; Once thro)gh the &elody- he co&&enced his first solo 1ith a series of r)ns- flying )p the fingerboard and then dancing back do1n for the ne$t r)n; ?t 1as a 2ery sho1y perfor&ance; =e 1as ignoring &y presence for the &o&ent to brag abo)t his o1n pro1ess; =e ended his first pass by cli&bing high )p the neck- and he spent his entire second ro)nd )p the neck- in fifth position- at a distance to 1hich &ost fiddle players 1ill not e2en tra2el; =e ended 1ith a flo)rish far )p the neck- t)rning to &e as he did so; =e 1as betting ? 1o)ld not be able to pick )p fro& hi& so far )p the neck; ?t is diffic)lt eno)gh to 1ork yo)r 1ay )p the B)t to start )p there cold yet in key Ϟ 툀neck; reM)ires an al&ost int)iti2e fa&iliarity 1ith the fingerboard; ? &et his challengebeginning &y solo sea&lessly 1ith the last note of his; ? stayed )p the neck for a little 1hile- 1andering o2er to e$plore the &elody on the nether regions of the lo1er t1o strings , a place fe1 fiddlers go; 'hen ? 1orked &y 1ay back do1n the neck 1ith a sort of &odified partial sh)ffle hinting at &y earlier perfor&ance of Orange Blosso& Special; ? finished o)t &y second pass at the t)ne 1ith drones and do)ble-stops- elaborating on the t)ne to e$plore )n)s)al key changes; Ahile keeping the &elody p)&ping- ? added notes to a)g&ent Ste2eFs g)itar chords- changing A chords to %-sharps- and #7s to @-sharps; Ste2e 1as paying close attention to see ho1 ? 1o)ld transfor& 1hat he 1as playing; ? concl)ded &y first solo 1ith a bl)esy sliding do)ble-stop- and >ack stepped in; =e 1as angry no1- and his playing 1as aggressi2e; =e sho)ted o)t a c)tting i&pro2isation )pon the &elody like he 1as h)rtling daggers at &e; ? felt &yself )nder assa)lt not I)st fro& hi&- b)t fro& the dark forces of &y night&are; B)t ? held &y placeand 1o)ld allo1 neither of the& to break thro)gh &y defenses , not again; >ack ridic)led &e by &ocking the train sh)ffle fro& Orange Blosso& Special; ?n his need to sho1 &e )p- he tried to &o2e the sh)ffle )p the neck- b)t it fell apart; =e co2ered it 1ell tho)gh- t)rning the sh)ffle into a train 1reck follo1ed by a cascade of notes that resol2ed into a polyphonic e$change; =e de2eloped t1o distinct 2oices on his fiddle- 1hich e$changed riffs fro& the basic &elody; Ahile distinct- both 2oices 1ere sardonic- lashing o)t at &e; ? retreated internally; 'o be honest- ? did not kno1 ho1 ? co)ld 1in against >ack; B)t then ? re&e&bered 1hat *onte had told &e and 1hat ? had fo)nd for &yself/ &y

playing 1as at its best 1hen ? opened &yself )p and ga2e e$pression to 1hat 1as 1ithin &e; 'hen- as *onte had said- there 1as no other fiddler 1ho co)ld lay a finger on &e; So ? retreated internally fro& >ackFs attack- and fro& the night&ares that contin)ed to ha)nt &e; Practicing &y breathing e$ercises- ? allo1ed each breath to flo1 thro)gh &y bodyreleasing all tension and rela$ing e2ery &)scle; >ackFs final assa)lt intensified- and it dre1 to a close; =e 1as h)rling &)sical c)rses at &e- practically spitting in &y face; 'ho)gh ? 1as f)lly a1are of e2ery note he played- ? 1as far re&o2ed to another plane- distant fro& his attack; As he dre1 to a close? opened )p- allo1ing &y feelings- tho)ghts and aspirations to po)r o)t thro)gh the 2iolin; *y final solo began as a sad air that see&ed to float o2er the fast rhyth& of the g)itar; ? let o)t all the pain >ack had inflicted )pon &e- along 1ith the spirit)al pain ca)sed by &y night&ares; ? played long- sonoro)s notes that rode o2er the chord changesbeginning as a la&ent- b)t rising in chor)s as a hy&n to i&&)table creati2ity; 'he hy&n beca&e a Ioyo)s fanfare of tri)&ph- and fro& the fanfare there ascended a p)re line of &elody; ? sang o)t of freedo&- lo2e- and inspiration; 'he &elody danced light and )ni&peded- 1itho)t restrictions and 1itho)t li&itations; *y final reiteration 1as a celebration of &)sic- of creati2ity and of life; Ahile still playing the basic t)ne- ? transcended it entirely to carry &yself , and the a)dience along 1ith &e , )p to )ndrea&ed of heights; And there ? ended &y song of s1eet affir&ation; 'he end of the t)ne 1as greeted by silence; ?n &y playing- ? had &anaged to transport the entire a)dience to a state of e$altation; 'here 1e lingered for a fe1 eternal &o&ents; 'hen the appla)se er)pted like a s)dden rain stor&- th)ndering )s back to ◌ ֒ &y hand; Ste2e <edpath stepped o2er and earth; 'he e&cee 1as there on stage- shaking patted &y back- speaking lo)dly so ? co)ld hear hi& o2er the appla)se; G? belie2e yo) 1onHG >ack 'rent 1as forgotten behind )s- tre&bling 1ith restrained rage; One glance at hi& told &e he 1o)ld ha2e liked to crack his fiddle o2er &y head and ske1er &e on his bo1; =e kne1 he had lost; ?n a fe1 &in)tes- the I)dges confir&ed ? 1on first place; ? 1as a1arded the first place ribbon- the one tho)sand dollar check- and the right to perfor& 1ith the other 1inners on the &ain stage later that e2ening; 'he other 1inning contestants 1ere bro)ght back o)t on stage and the a)dience ga2e all of )s a standing o2ation; Phyllis and Bobby 1ere clearly pleased 1ith their place&ent; >ack 1as trying to be gracio)s- b)t co)ld not hide his disappoint&ent; =e disappeared I)st as soon as he co)ld slip off the stage; *onte =art stood in front of the a)dience- bea&ing 1ith pride for his for&er p)pil;

1& *eawakenin( Sitting in &y st)dy- sipping on brandy and listening to :erdi- ? reli2ed these &e&ories for the first ti&e in &any years; ? had kept the& locked a1ay in &y s)bconscio)s since the day ? Ioined the priesthood; ?t 1as Delbert BlainFs 1ords , spoken 1ith s)ch innocence- b)t spoken tr)ly , that Ii&&ied open the door to these &e&ories- releasing the& to ha)nt &e 1ith a life that had faltered and 1andered lost do1n the 1rong path; ? 1as a &)sician- not a priest; All these years ? had let &y tr)e talent go to 1aste 1hile ? hid behind a priestFs collar; And 1hen the priestFs collar failed- ? hid behind a brandy bottle; ? kne1 there 1ere &ore &e&ories yet to be faced- painf)l &e&ories that e$plained 1hy ? abandoned &)sic for the priesthood- and 1hy ? locked these &e&ories of &y yo)th a1ay fro& &y conscio)s &ind; And ? kne1 these &e&ories 1ere so&eho1 tied to DelbertFs paintingsand the skies abo2e; Feeling these &e&ories begin to i&pinge on &y conscio)s &ind filled &e 1ith panic; ? 1as not ready to face e2erything in one night; ? needed ti&e to adI)st and prepare; And- fort)nately- ? 1as p)lled fro& &y re2erie as the lights died and the %D player fell silent; Ae 1ere ha2ing another blacko)t; Po1er shortages had gro1n increasingly co&&on o2er the years; So&eti&es 1e 1ent as long as a &onth 1itho)t electricity; ?t 1as painf)l- b)t yo) had to adI)st to cold &eals- hot days and freeEing nights; ?t 1as a forced 1ithdra1al- all the &ore cr)el in that it 1as ne2er M)ite co&plete; 'he po1er 1o)ld co&e back on- 1e 1o)ld get )sed to it once &ore- and then it 1o)ld disappear again; ?t 1o)ld al&ost be better to t)rn the po1er off and lea2e it off for good; Al&ost; , On this partic)lar e2ening- ho1e2er- the blacko)t ser2ed to ter&inate &y little stroll thro)gh &e&ory lane I)st as ? 1as approaching that spooky back alley1ay do1n 1hich ? 1o)ld rather not 2ent)re; ? 1as left 1ith the bitters1eet &e&ory of 1hat ? had lost , or rather- 1hat ? had gi2en )p; D)cinda rapped lightly on the st)dy door; ? bid her- G%o&e in;G GPadre;G D)cinda opened the door and stepped into the st)dy; She had a flashlight in her hand; G?t is the po1er again; ? 1ill light )p the ho)se;G She stepped closer to the desk- 1here ? kept an oil la&p; G?Fll take care of this one-G ? told her; She started to back o)t of the roo&- then pa)sed and said- GDet &e fi$ yo) a plate 1hile the food is still hot;G G'hank yo)- D)cinda; ? think ? 1ill eat in here tonight;G G? 1ill bring it to yo);G She left the roo&- lea2ing the door partially open behind her; Dra1ing &atches fro& &y desk- ? lit the oil la&p on the desktop; Blo1ing o)t the &atch- ? stood looking at &y hands a 1hile- thinking of the &)sic that co)ld be p)lled o)t of a 2iolin by these hands- 1hich ? had allo1ed to gro1 stiff; %o)ld &y hands e2en prod)ce &)sic any&ore- or 1as that talent lost no1- fore2er beyond recallK Prodded by &y &e&ories and the 1ords of an a)tistic boy- and freed fro& &y artistic paralysis by the &oderate application of brandy- ? decided to pick )p &y 2iolin again- after so &any years; Dea2ing the desk- ? h)nted thro)gh the dra1ers belo1 the bookshel2es in the st)dy; ? also looked inside the st)dy closet;

*y hands 1o)ld ha2e to be li&bered )p. She set to 1ork &o2ing bo$es fro& the top of the cedar chest. ? 1as 툀Ϟ transported back to &y yo)th by the piney scent of bo1 rosin.? dre1 the bo1 across the open strings and adI)sted the fine t)ners.and this 2o1 had finally co&e to an end. <)nning a fe1 scales.Padre-G she handed &e the case. Cneeling do1n. 'he fragrant s&ell of cedar began at once to fill the closet.and &y old fingers 1ere not M)ite as ni&ble as the digits of &y yo)th. Jo1 she opened the storage closet and stepped inside.to the large storage closet in the hall1ay. Setting the plate on &y desk.let &e get it for yo).)nto)ched by the years. 'he
. ?n short order. ?t 1as a proble& easily sol2ed. 'he &elody sprang fro& fingers that re&e&bered on their o1n. it 1as al&ost big eno)gh to be called a storage roo& .G GAh.stacking the& abo)t her on the floor. Shel2es lined the 1all )nder the stairs.? fo)nd ? co)ld not do so co&fortably beca)se of the priestFs collar that ? 1ore. and laid the flashlight on a shelf 1here it 1o)ld ill)&inate the entire space. 'he chest appeared to be f)ll of linens.? 1as certain ? 1o)ld soon be 1arbling as capably as tho)gh ? had only set it aside a 1eek ago. Better to gi2e to so&eone 1ho 1ill p)t it to )se.she lifted the lid of the cedar chest. *o2ing the dinner plate aside.propping it back against the 1all. 'he strings 1ere as loose as slack r)bber bands. ?t 1as a bea)tif)l and tender &elody.D)cinda sa1 &e searching the roo&.G ?nstead of gi2ing it a1ay.GAhat are yo) looking forKG G*y 2iolin.? 1as r)sty. GPadre. Freeing it of so&e linens that had snagged on the clasps.<et)rning 1ith &y s)pper.a &eal of beef tortillas and refritos.? had the instr)&ent t)ned.she asked.yo) &ay 1ant to play it so&e day. Against the back 1all there sat a large cedar chest.she dre1 the old 2iolin case o)t of the cedar chest.? gained a feeling of co&pletion s)ch as had been &issing fro& &y entire ad)lt life )p to this point.adding I)st a to)ch of 2ibrato to &ake the t)ne sing. ? had once told D)cinda to get rid of the 2iolin. G@i2e it to so&e child 1ho 1ants to learn ho1 to play-G ? had told her.shel2es packed 1ith 2ario)s belongings.)nder the staircase.? 1as both s)rprised and reass)red to find &y talent had not abandoned &e. Atte&pting to t)ck the fiddle )nder &y chin. Daying the fiddle on the desk. 'he 2iolin 1as in fine shape. D)cinda stepped into the closet .Padre. ? played thro)gh a slo1 air.G ? follo1ed her o)t of the roo&. ?t 1as as tho)gh the fiddle 1ere sighing and catching its breath after s)ch a long period of dis)se. =o1 co)ld ? e2er ha2e 1alked a1ay fro& the 2iolinK ?t 1as as tho)gh ? had been )nder a 2o1 of silence since entering the priesthood.D)cinda.she d)g thro)gh the chest )ntil she fo)nd 1hat she 1as looking for at the 2ery botto&.Jeil @o1Fs Da&ent for =is Second Aife.G ? ret)rned to the st)dy as D)cinda p)t the closet back to order. Once she had re&o2ed all the bo$es. G'hank yo).the top of 1hich 1as stacked 1ith bo$es. After tightening )p the bo1 and applying a liberal coating of rosin to the bo1 hairs.b)t there 1as a t)ning fork in the case.D)cinda had set it aside.? set the case on &y desktop and opened it. 'r)e.sad yet endearing. Aith the fiddle t)cked )nder &y chin and the bo1 in &y hand. G=ere it is. B)t the talent 1as still thereand 1ith a little practice. ? had not seen this 2iolin case in years0 not since D)cinda packed it a1ay.? re&o2ed the collar and tossed it aside.G GJo.

*)ch of 1hat follo1s 1as reco)nted to &e in the days after the cataclys&.G G'hank yo).G G(o) go on.dear reader.G GJo.a longing for the &)sic ? had so long denied &yself.Scottish air filled the ho)se 1ith its o1n enchant&ent.then ? a& confident that ? at least re&ain tr)e to the spirit of 1hat happened and the nat)re of &y s)bIects. ?+ll be fine for the e2ening.1e &)st lea2e &e.reacM)ainting &yself 1ith the fiddle in a st)dy lit by oil la&p. A c)rio)s &i$t)re of sadness and Ioy 1elled )p 1ithin &e. (o) play 1ell.it is a story that &)st be told fro& &any 2ie1 points.listening. L And here.G 'he front door opened and closed.G G *)y bien.? probably 1o)ld ha2e been too fearf)l to e2er pick )p the 2iolin again.co&ing to kno1 their inner nat)re as the priest at Saint >ohnFs.there 1ere other spirits dra1n by &y &)sic.yet a pleasant relief that the potential yet re&ained.? &ay ha2e int)ited that &y perfor&ance had dra1n an ephe&eral a)dience. So 1e 1ill lea2e &e for a ti&e. 'here 1ere 2ery fe1 ref)gees fro& the air force base.li2ely t)rn of &elody. Of necessity. Breathing and rela$ing.bitters1eet 1ith e$pression long denied . (et ? ha2e taken the liberty of b)ilding these recollections to fill in the narrati2e and &ake it &ore readable.and the part played in that collapse by the to1n of =eater and neighboring <idgepoint Air Force Base. ? a& aided in this by &y &any years of dealing 1ith these people. b)t do&inated by the Ioy of finding a 2oice so long gone as to be forgotten. ?f ? a& not recording the e$act tho)ghts and con2ersations of &y characters.? bro)ght the t)ne to a close.? ga2e 2oice to this )n)s)al ad&i$t)re of feelings in an i&pro&pt) air. And perhaps this 1as for the best at that &o&entfor if ? had been &ore open to other1orldly presences.non-corporal a1areness nor&ally a&bi2alent b)t appreciati2e of a gentle. Jo. ? ha2e spent the last se2eral days seeking o)t and talking to all of the s)r2i2orspiecing together their tales in an effort to )nderstand 1hat has happened.and for &)ch of it ? a& only a &inor character. D)cinda stood in the door1ay of the st)dy. After se2eral passes. 'here 1ere tears in her eyes. B)onas noches.casting off &y life as a priest to take )p the life of a &instrel.G G(es. Unfort)nately. (o) sho)ld ne2er ha2e gi2en )p the 2iolin. Jot the &ale2olent presence of &y childhood night&ares0 that ill presence had yet to rea1aken. G #so era her&oso.e2en tho)gh he plays alone.&y religio)s training and the concrete &aterialis& of ad)lthood pre2ented &e fro& percei2ing a presence that 1o)ld ha2e delighted &e in &y yo)th.? a& going to &y cottage to look after &y boys. G?f yo) do not need anything &ore. Jo &)sician is 툀Ϟ 1itho)t an a)dience. ? 1ill see yo) in the &orning.G ? nodded &y head. B)t ? a& r)sty.D)cinda. 'his is the story of the day the sky shattered and the collapse that acco&panied it.D)cinda.and ? 1as alone 1ith &y fiddle and &y &e&ories.Padre. =ad ? been a trifle &ore percepti2e and perhaps a tad less intent on 1hat ? 1as playing. And it is the story of the &assacre that presaged that cataclys&.b)t ? ha2e &et 1ith the fe1 1ho &anaged to escape
.

inherited fro& &y &entor. ?f yo) feel ? ha2e gone too far in constr)cting 1hat follo1s.AriEona. *any of those 1ho did not s)r2i2e ha2e also so)ght &e o)t since the 2eil has parted.
툀Ϟ
.*onte =art.as 1as the fiddle on 1hich ? play.then please forgi2e &e and gi2e &e license to practice the art of storytelling that is a part of &y craft as a &instrel.treading too close to fiction.to fill in the &issing pieces of this story and e$plain their side of things. And for o)r )nderstanding of that blood sacrifice.let )s e$a&ine the heino)s &assacre that occ)rred o)tside of to1n.let )s first hear the acco)nt of o)r local police depart&ent. So let )s &o2e on to the e2ents leading )p to the day 1hen the sky shattered and Delbert BlainFs prophetic paintings beca&e reality.the holoca)st that transpired there. 'o begin 1ith.to learn ho1 it led to the horrendo)s battle that took place here in the to1n of =eater.

?t 1as ti&e to face )p to it. =e had e2aded the iss)e long eno)gh.b)t they co)ld not erase it fro& his &ind.call Arth)r and %)rtis and tell the& theyFll ha2e to co2er. ?f they co&plain.G1eFre taking the Dand <o2er. G(o) ne2er kno1.G G(o) really think 1eFll get another call this ti&e in the &orning-G *adge Do2er said in her nasal dra1l.tell the& 1eF2e got o)r hands f)ll 1ith a &)ltiple ho&icide . 'here 1as no r)nning a1ay fro& 1hat had happened o)t here. ?f so&ething co&es )p.G GAhereKG GOff <o)te !2.G GDet &e grab &y g)n. #&&a 1ill be 1aiting for yo) along the road.Part Three — Swanson Creek
2& The Scene o the Crime #lliot spent the entire day o)t on patrol.G L
. 'he Border Patrol had taken the case a1ay fro& hi&. 'hro)gh his concern abo)t %onnie Blain. After dropping &e off at the rectory. G#lliot. G*adge-G #lliot instr)cted the dispatcher. =e 1as trying to escape fro& 1hat he sa1 at S1anson+s %reek.G GBodiesKG #lliot nearly ca&e )p o)t of his seat.G Dep)ty Don %ooper sho1ed )p I)st as #lliot 1as lea2ing. L #lliot 1as in the office the pre2io)s &orning to recei2e the call fro& Bob 'eller.G Don h)rried o2er to his desk. that o)ght to sh)t the& )p.bo)nd for the cri&e scene. She fo)nd the prospects )nlikely.b)t it follo1ed hi& e2ery1here he 1ent in to1n. 툀Ϟ G#lliotK (o) better get o)t here fastHG GAhatFs )p. 'ake <o)te !2 past the to1n d)&p.yo) best get o)t here. G%o&e on. =e p)lled off the side of the road and parked the car.thro)gh his annoyance abo)t co&plaints concerning the constr)ction at =oly <edee&er Pentacostal %h)rch. B)t I)dging fro& his 2oice. Ae got a call on a &)ltiple ho&icide. 'hey co)ld not pre2ent hi& fro& thinking abo)t it0 they co)ld not e$orcise it fro& his drea&s.thro)gh his irritation at the lo1 flying Iet fro& the air force base that 1o)ld s)rely res)lt in broken 1indo1s and co&plaints.by S1anson %reek.#lliot fo)nd hi&self lea2ing to1n on <o)te !2.BobKG GAe 1ere trailing a big coyote along S1anson %reek 1hen 1e st)&bled across so&e bodies. Bob 'eller 1as &ade of seasoned ti&ber0 it took a lot to shake hi& )p.bear or 1olf.so&ething had shaken hi& to the fo)ndation. Bob and his da)ghter #&&a had set o)t at s)n)p fro& their horse ranch to s)r2ey the area for sign of co)gar.the &)rders at S1anson %reek re&ained his pri&ary concern.

G GJobody e2er e$pects to st)&ble across a &)rder.he offered the girl so&e concerned ad2ice.G G(o) e2er seen a &ass &)rderKG 툀Ϟ GJo.yo) take it easy today. Jor&ally a healthy and athletic se2enteen-year-old#&&a 1as no1 pale and shaky.and all 1ere at least partially b)rned. G? 1asnFt e$pecting it. She held her horse by the reins. ? 1onFt think any less of yo). Dea2e the scene.and donFt ret)rn )ntil yo)Fre o2er it. For a &o&ent. %an yo) take )s back thereKG GJo.and there had not been another in =eater )ntil this day.get so&e fresh air. 'he other se2en bodies 1ere fo)nd in the to1n d)&p.G 'he girl recoiled at the &e&ory.they 1ere l)cky eno)gh to p)t o)t the fire before it eng)lfed the 1hole ho)se.increasing in freM)ency to1ard the end.first singly and then the last si$ in pairs. =ell. GShe 1as )pset. All had their throats c)t.G Don so)nded none too s)re. 'hen follo1 it 1est. G=ead d)e so)th till yo) reach the creek.G G?Fll be alright. *y dadFs there 1aiting for yo).Don %ooper looked a little spooked.b)t he had not seen &)rder )ntil the b)rned bodies of 2agrants started popping )p a co)ple years ago. #lliot rolled his 1indo1 do1n. 'his sort of thing has a 1ay of do)bling back on yo). 'he body 1as only partially b)rned. 'hey had been 1orking together for t1el2e years. #lliot 1ondered if the killer 1as trying to &ake )p for lost ti&e.Sheriff.G GOkay.b)t #&&a held it steady. ?n tr)th he needed neither0 shortly after they left the road. Sitting beside hi&. G#&&a.and one in a d)&pster. 'he horse shied a1ay as #lliot p)lled )p ne$t to her. 'hey did not need the coronerFs e$a& to tell the& the 2icti& had his throat slit before the fire 1as started. 'he &)rders 1ere spaced o)t o2er the co)rse of a year. Another body 1as fo)nd in an abandoned ho&e.#&&a 'eller 1as 1aiting for the& on <o)te !2 I)st as her father said she 1o)ld be.? ha2enFt-G #lliot allo1ed. 'he first t1o 1ere fo)nd in ho)se fires. #$a&ination of the pre2io)s t1o bodies s)ggested they also &ay ha2e had their throats slit prior to b)rning.G She f)&bled to e$plain.? &ight Ioin yo). #lliot 1orried that the &)rdererFs appetite 1as gro1ing. G(o) okayKG G?Fll be alright. #lliot engaged the fo)r-1heel dri2e and headed off the road. =e had seen death before. Before lea2ing her. ? ne2er sa1 anything like that before.they spotted the b)EEards circling in the sky.she looked as tho)gh she &ight be sick. 'he third ti&e. %an yo) tell hi& ? 1ent on ho&eKG GAill do-G #lliot responded.G #&&a dre1 her horse aside and prepared to &o)nt as soon as the Dand <o2er 1as gone. G?f yo) feel sick-G #lliot ad2ised his dep)ty.GdonFt try to hold it back. =a2e yo)KG GJo.b)t she &ade a deter&ined effort to &aintain selfcontrol. ? can still s&ell it.ga)ging direction as &)ch fro& his kno1ledge of the area as fro& the co&pass. At the ti&e. L
.fresh fro& training.b)t #lliot still considered Don a rookie. B)t then the &)rders stopped as s)ddenly as they started.it 1as tho)ght the 2agrants started the fires to keep 1ar&.

'he 'eller =orse <anch 1as one of the fe1 b)sinesses to prosper after the econo&y collapsed.S1anson %reek 1o)ld rise )p to fill the g)lly. #lliot felt the botto& drop o)t of his sto&ach. =e picked o)t tire tread fro& &ore than one 2ehicle.G 'hey 1alked back to1ard 1here the b)EEards circled. 'he three &en backed a1ay fro& the edge as a clo)d of sca2enger birds rose )p. GAe 1ere trailing a large coyote 1hen 1e sa1 the b)EEards.b)t no1here 1as it &ore than fifteen feet 1ide. G(eah-G Bob obser2ed.feasting the&sel2es. 'hey follo1ed the ri& of the g)lly east.nor&ally strong and steady.they sa1 a tangled pile of s&oldering bodies and b)EEards.G 'he rancher tipped the bri& of his beat )p Stetson. G#&&aFs heading on ho&e-G #lliot infor&ed hi&.)ntil they fo)nd Bob 'eller. B)t ?+d g)ess &ore than thirty. #2erything had a dark reddish h)e fro& the angry sky. Ae chased the& a1ay. G@ood-G Bob ans1ered. As they approached the c)r2e. 'he 1eathered rancher had his horse tethered to so&e sagebr)sh.b)t they keep co&ing back.rioting in their effort to escape the so)nd of the g)nshot. Dooking o2er.G 'he t1o &en 1alked o2er to the patrol 2ehicle as Don Ioined the&.#lliot 1alked o2er and greeted the rancher 1ith a nod. GBack that 1ay abo)t a h)ndred yards.the creek 1as dry e$cept for an occasional p)ddle.G Ahead of the& the ra2ine c)r2ed to the so)th.&)les and b)rros for &oney or barter.on the creek bed. 'hey dro2e on another h)ndred yards or so. 'hey passed by the b)EEards circling in the bellicose sky. G? had to bring Pacer )p1ind beca)se the s&ell &ade hi& skittish. #lliot left Don to report in to *adge that they 1ere on the scene.he sa1 that all of the color had drained fro& DonFs face. 'he three &en forced the&sel2es to 1alk to the edge of the ra2ine.)ntil it beca&e a shallo1 ra2ine.1hile #lliot parked nearby.had a hollo1 so)nd to it. 'he 1idth of the g)lly 2aried. As they hiked along the creek. G=ello.the 1ind shifted for a &o&ent and they ca)ght a scent of 1hat s&elled like b)rning pork.? co)ld ha2e li2ed 1itho)t it &yself. G?tFs right )p ahead-G Bob told the&. G?tFs bad. 'here &ay ha2e been as &any as a h)ndred b)EEards do1n there. %li&bing o)t of the SU:.the g)lly gre1 narro1er and steeper.G #lliot noted that the gro)nd aro)nd this side of the ra2ine 1as 1ell-tra&pled. Bob 1aited by his horse. ?t looks like a h)ndred. #lliot askedG=o1 &any are thereKG G? donFt kno1.G GAhere are the bodiesKG #lliot asked as he glanced )p at the b)EEards. GSo&ething tr)ly e2il happened o)t here last night.Bob.a2oiding the g)lley. Dooking do1n. Since oil had gone sky high. 'he ri& of the g)lly hosted cl)&ps of br)sh. 'here 1ere &ore 2)lt)res circling )p there than #lliot had e2er seen at one ti&e.
. ?n the spring or after a hea2y rain. Shit. 'here 1as a drop of si$ or se2en feet fro& the ri& of the g)lly do1n to the creek bed.#lliot t)rned 1est one h)ndred yards short of the dry creek bed. 'his ti&e of year.G Bob follo1ed his gaEe to the b)EEards 1ith a sorro1f)l look.like so&eone knocked the 1ind o)t of hi&. G? 1ish sheFd ne2er seen this. =is 2oice. Bob raised his rifle and fired a shot in the air.G GSheriff.cradling his rifle.'eller had a steady b)siness renting o)t horses.G Bob Ϟ 툀 pa)sed to look #lliot in the eye.

and he kne1 that b)EEing noise 1as co&ing fro& a &)ltit)de of flies. 'he t1o &en follo1ed the ridge )pstrea& )ntil they fo)nd a 1asho)t that 1as not too diffic)lt to cli&b do1n.holding each other )p as their &inds fo)ght against the reality before the&.
.Stepping back to the edge.#lliot led the& a1ay fro& the night&are belo1.and spoke 1itho)t realiEing it.yello1 Iackets and other insects.and to steady hi&self as 1ell. #lliot g)essed there &ight be in the neighborhood of fifty bodies in the ra2ine. #lliot felt his knees 1eaken. (o) probably 1onFt find anything.G 툀Ϟ 1as starting to ret)rn to his face. Ahen he co)ld gather his tho)ghts.1o&en and childrenall tangled together in a s&oldering heap. Ahile he 1atched. =opef)lly itFs big eno)gh to keep the b)EEards off those bodies. Once at the botto&. *en.#lliot t)rned to the b)siness at hand. Ahile he searched for a 1ay do1n. =e co)ld hear a b)EEing noise e&anating fro& the heap of charred corpses. ?t 1as already acco&panied by the p)trid odor of rotting flesh. #lliot tho)ght of i&ages he had seen fro& JaEi concentration ca&ps.f)rther co&plicating the proble& of co)nting and identifying the bodies. 'he b)rned s&ell 1as &)ch stronger do1n here.G L After Don left. %all *adge.they beheld the grisly sight.at least a fe1 of these people 1ere ali2e 1hen they 1ere b)rned. @et the tarp o)t of the back.#lliot did not 1ant anyone adding to the conf)sion of tracks on this side of the ra2ine )ntil he had a chance to st)dy the&.Don gasped for breath as he 1obbled on his feet.#lliot and Don stood at the edge of the ra2ine.tell her 1eFre going to need Doc o)t here ASAP.along 1ith the scent of kerosene. B)EEards and other sca2engers had been b)sy. G(o)Fre a pretty good tracker arenFt yo)KG G@ood eno)gh-G Bob ans1ered.this 1as an affront to h)&anity. =is first task 1as one he did not relish. (o) &ight as 1ell dri2e the <o2er o2er here.Bob looked for a 1ay )p the other bank. 'ellerFs esti&ate of &ore than thirty had probably been on the ca)tio)s side. >)dging fro& the froEen looks of agony on so&e of the faces.a co)ple b)EEards glided do1n to land on the bodies. G*y @od.b)t he had to check. ?t looks like all the b)siness happened o2er here. ?t see&ed )nlikely.G 'ho)gh he did not say so. #lliot reached o)t to steady his dep)ty. Dook for any tracks or tire treads. G?Fd appreciate it if yo) 1o)ld sco)t aro)nd the other side of the ra2ine. G?Fll be Don nodded in agree&ent. For a long &o&ent. #lliot instr)cted Don. G@o back to the Dand <o2er.1ell a1ay fro& all the tracks aro)nd the edge of the ra2ine. Je2er &ind &)rder. Aitho)t separating the& there 1as no 1ay to tell ho1 &any bodies there 1ere. G'his is going to be a long and &iserable day. 'he 1ay the bodies 1ere tossed together and b)rned de&onstrated a callo)s disregard for life.G Beside hi&. =e 1o)ld ha2e to go do1n into the ra2ine and deter&ine if anyone 1as still ali2e. 'he color right back. Other b)EEards follo1ed their lead. #lliot regarded the pile of bodies. Park it there-G he pointed to the spot before the c)r2e in the creek.he spoke to Bob 'eller. So&e of the b)EEards 1ere already spiraling do1n1ard o)t of the bloody sky to contin)e their &eal.

#$a&ining the corpses nearest to hi&. And he 1o)ld probably ha2e to thro1 this )nifor& a1ay.along 1ith charred bones and li&bs.tangled 1ith all the other corpses.b)t politely ignored it.Bob 'eller called o)t fro& a cl)&p of br)sh on the so)th bank. G? fo)nd so&ethingHG GAhat is itKG #lliot asked.and then d)&ped here. ?Fll be )p as soon as 1e get these bodies co2ered.#lliot approached the pile. 'he bodies that had been dragged o)t 1ere partially eaten. 'hat e$plained a lot. L Ahile Don 1as cli&bing do1n into the ra2ine. SnipersKG G? donFt think so-G #lliot responded.. Bracing hi&self. Don cli&bed o)t and 1ent aro)nd to open the back of the <anger. 'here 1as a s&all entry hole in the forehead. 'hese bodies had been defiled badly eno)gh already0 #lliot did not 1ant to see another b)EEard light on the&.all dra1n here by the odor of an easy &eal.G GOkay-G Don called back. #lliot s)spected the others had as 1ell.G #lliot ackno1ledged. 'his person had been shot. G'here sho)ld be rope and a bo$ of plastic glo2es back there.b)t 1hy 1ere they &)rdered and disposed of in s)ch a fashion. Don did like1ise on the other side. 'he handkerchief 1as al&ost )seless0 the stench 1as o2erpo1ering. a &an. 'hey had been shot first&aybe e2en at another location.#lliot &ade his first disco2ery. GDooks like three people 1ere lying behind these b)shes. %o)ld there ha2e been 1itnessesK Ahat 1ere they doing 1ay o)t here in the &iddle of the nightK GStay right there.do)sed 1ith kerosene and set ablaEe.G Don bro)ght #lliot a pair of r)bber glo2es. *ost 1ere dog and coyote. GDonHG #lliot called o)t. 'here 1ere a n)&ber of ani&al tracks r)nning thro)gh the creek bed. #lliot co)ld hear hi& retching.b)t e2en those that had not b)rned co&pletely 1ere too far gone to ha2e li2ed thro)gh it. @et the& and find a 1ay do1n on the other side of this &ess. #lliot st)died the bodies for signs of life. *ost 1ere badly charred. Skirting aro)nd the&. 'he back of the sk)ll had a hole in it the siEe of a fist.co&plaining abo)t being kept fro& their &eal. A cro1d of people like this 1o)ld ne2er allo1 the&sel2es to be herded so closely 툀Ϟ together in an open g)lch. ?t 1as a blackened sk)ll 1ith &ost of the flesh b)rned off. Aith the glo2es on. =e 1o)ld ha2e to hit the sho1ers after they 1ere done here.his hair and his skin.
.G G@ood.a 1o&an and t1o children. A fe1 of the bodies had been dragged o)t of the pile by sca2engers . =eFll call )s 1hen he gets to the d)&p. Don poked his head o)t aro)nd the side of the 2ehicle.#lliot p)lled o)t his 9&& @lock and fired a shot into the air. 'he body 1as lying on its side 1ith its back to1ard hi&. #lliot strained to see the front of the sk)ll 1itho)t to)ching anything. #lliot kne1 it 1as per&eating his clothes.#lliot dre1 o)t his handkerchief and held it o2er his nose and &o)th as he forced hi&self to approach the carnage.b)t there 1ere none. 'he b)EEards rose back )p. =is tho)ghts 1ere interr)pted as Don dro2e )p to the ri& of the g)lch. #lliot kne1 they had to be illegal i&&igrants. G*adge is going to contact Doc.#lliot dragged the o)tlying bodies o2er to the pile and collected the bones and se2ered li&bs.b)t there 1ere other sca2engers as 1ell.

G G? think they 1ere &ore concerned 1ith not being seen. =e set o)t follo1ing the tracks a1ay fro& the site. GJo. G? 1ant to kno1 1here these three ca&e fro& and 1here they 1ent.fro& the pile and hid behind the bo)lders. Jo1 he 1o)ld definitely trash this )nifor&. 'hereFs a little blood o2er here too. 'hree people had lain behind the scr)b br)sh. =e 1as relie2ed to p)t e2en a little distance bet1een hi& and the carnage.#lliot said. =e had no idea 1here they co)ld store the& )ntil they 1ere b)ried .G%an yo) follo1 these G?Fll be right there.G GAell. 'he trail 1as dotted 1ith drops of blood.G ')rning to Bob tracksKG Bob nodded. 'hat 1o)ld keep the b)EEards off the& for no1. Ahoe2er it 1as had a perfect 2ie1 of the opposite bank and the botto& of the ra2ine. ? donFt kno1 1hat they 1ere doing here.tho)gh the latter 1as still o2erpo1ering )p here on the do1n1ind side of the &assacre. G(o) okayKG Don &et hi& at the botto&.and the left foot 1as dragging like the personFs leg 1as inI)red.1here Don pointed o)t the blood on the rocks and the gro)nd. 'here 1as a p)ddle of 2o&it soaked into the gro)nd by 1here the three had lain. =e 1as standing by so&e large bo)lders at an erosion channel in the side of the ra2ine. or cre&ated.and ? 1ant to find the&. Dooks like so&eone cra1led o2er to these bo)lders and hid behind the&.so long as they 1ere on foot.skinning hi&self and tearing a hole in the seat of his pants. #lliot 1as already thinking they 1o)ld need a large trailer tr)ck to transport all these bodies. 'he tarp 1as big eno)gh to co2er the 1hole pile.G #lliot 1a2ed off his concern. #lliot co)ld not belie2e it0 three 1itnesses and a s)r2i2or. So&eone 1o)nded dragged hi&self.#lliot cli&bed )p to see 1hat Bob 'eller had fo)nd.looking for a 1ay do1n to 1here Don 1aited. G(o) fo)nd so&eoneKG #lliot called do1n.b)t there 1ere three 1itnesses last night.he descended at a point 1here the slope 1as a little &ore precipito)s. After instr)cting Don to sco)t aro)nd his end of the ra2ine.G G'hat sho)ld be easy eno)gh. G? think there &ight ha2e been a s)r2i2orHG Don called o)t.b)t #lliot kne1 that before the day 1as o2er they 1o)ld ha2e to separate the bodies and &o2e the& o)t of here. 'hey dre1 the tarp o2er the bodies and placed hea2y rocks on the corners to anchor the& do1n. G?F& fine. 'here 1as also a trail of sc)ff and drag &arks s)ggesting the 1itnesses approached cra1ling 1ith their bellies flat to the gro)nd. #lliot h)rried along the edge of the ra2ine. 'racks led a1ay fro& the spot.
.&ore likely.a1ay fro& the scene. =e 1o)nd )p sliding do1n on his rear.G 툀Ϟ'eller. 'hey &ade no effort to hide their trail.and the stench. GAhat did yo) findKG Don sho1ed hi& the sc)ff &arks leading fro& the bodies. 'hey fo)nd &ore tracks 1andering fro& the bo)lders and 1ea2ing thro)gh the g)lly.? can tell yo) 1here they 1ent-G Bob 2o1ed.or herself.deep treads 1ith a long stride that s)ggested the people 1ere r)nning 1hen they left the scene. ?n his haste. Bob 1as correct.Bob 'eller 1atched fro& abo2e as they co2ered the &assacred bodies. 'hey follo1ed the& o2er to the bo)lders.

probably disoriented and 1itho)t a cl)e 1here he or she 1as heading.thro)gh the &iddle of the desert. ? donFt care if it leads yo) all the 1ay to *e$ico. 'he person listened to the cries and screa&s.#lliot instr)cted Don.the s)r2i2or li&ped off along the dry creek bed. So&eone &anaged to escape and hid here 1hile the other 2icti&s b)rned. #lliot leaned against one of the bo)lders for a &o&ent and looked back at the bodies co2ered by the tarp. 'hen.after the assailants 1ere gone.
Ϩ
.G Don nodded and set off to follo1 the tracks. #lliot hoped Don 1o)ld find 1hoe2er it 1as in ti&e.yo) find this person.G? 1ant yo) to follo1 the trail.and the roar of the fire b)rning a1ay their li2es.

there co)ld be no do)bt abo)t 1hat happened ne$t.t1o &en cli&bed in and )nloaded the tr)ck. 'he tracks sho1ed signs of a sc)ffle. 'hen both of the &en fro& the se&i 1ere escorted to the back of the tr)ck.%3& *eadin( Tracks So&eone needed to stay close to the <o2er to ans1er DocFs call and lead hi& to the site. Or &aybe they fo)nd that so&e of the 2icti&s 1ere not incapacitated by their 1o)nds. 'he 1eapons had either been con2erted !0-06s or . 'he =)&2ees escorted the se&i. By the ti&e Doc called on the radio. ?n any case. 'hey ca&e in three 2ehicles. ?t looked like so&eone had fallen to his knees and been p)lled back )p. 'his &)st ha2e been a &essy Iob. 'hen they loaded into their 2ehicles and dro2e off. *el Ansley. L Dr. probably cans of kerosene. 'hey stopped a 1ays fro& the ra2ine.one on either side.ho1e2er. Fo)r &en on the gro)nd then pitched the bodies into the ra2ine. Fo)r of the &en fetched so&ething fro& the =)&2ees . #lliot did not 1ant to belie2e anyone 1ithin one h)ndred &iles 1as capable of s)ch a heino)s cri&e. 'hat 1as 1here all the 2icti&s fro& the ra2ine 1ere kept/ in the back of the tr)ck. * 6s.for&ing p)ddles.
. Doc had a rep)tation for being i&pert)rbable. 1hat 1ere probably t1o =)&2ees.a to)gh old bird 1ith a partial ring of )nr)ly 1hite hair aro)nd his other1ise bald head. Another &an ca&e o2er to Ioin the dri2er. #ach 1as &et by t1o other &en as they cli&bed o)t.s)ggested &ilitary personnel fro& <idgepoint 1ere in2ol2ed. 'he dri2er cli&bed o)t of the se&i and a passenger cli&bed o)t of the other side of the cab. ?t looked like there &ight ha2e been an altercation bet1een the dri2er and the others. 'he 2icti&s 1ere do)sed 1ith f)el and set ablaEe. 'here 1ere shell casings all o2er the Ϟ area. So #lliot cli&bed )p o)t of the ra2ine and set to 1ork. 'ho)gh #lliotFs &ind reIected it. Perhaps the &en in the tr)ck ref)sed to 1ork. Fro& therethe tracks crisscrossed each other and beca&e &ore diffic)lt to read. Blood dripped fro& the back of the tr)ck. Fo)r &en cli&bed o)t of the =)&2ee on the right side of the se&i0 three cli&bed o)t of the =)&2ee of the left side. 'he cargo door 1as )nlocked and opened. 'he &en stood aro)nd the edge of the ra2ine and 1atched the bodies b)rn for a 1hile.all the bodies 1ere d)&ped into the ra2ine. =e had perfor&ed so &any a)topsies that blood and gore did not faEe hi&. One of the &en helped g)ide it. 'he &en opened fire 1ith se&i-a)to&atics&o1ing do1n the people in the back of the tr)ck. At one point there &ay ha2e been an altercation bet1een the &en on the tr)ck and those on the gro)nd.#lliot had &anaged to sort o)t 1hat happened. 'he se&i &ane)2ered aro)nd and backed )p to 1ithin a fe1 feet of the g)lly. One of the three stepped o2er to talk to the dri2er of the se&i. I)dging fro& the tire siEe and spacing . After the shooting 1as o2er. 'he 2ehicles and the 1eapons.a se&i and . 'he tracks at the top of the ra2ine needed to be analyEed before they 1ere tra&pled. 'his assess&ent &ade #lliot 2ery )neasybeca)se the only =)&2eess in this area belonged to the air force base.ser2ed as co)nty coroner. Ahat happened 1as )nclear. 'he bodies 1ere tossed o)t of the tr)ck onto the gro)nd. &ore likely .

? sco)ted aro)nd. Don had been 2ery caref)l not to &)ddy )p the tracks.t1o 1ere partially b)rned. Doc 1as M)ick to regain hi& co&pos)re.they began ha)ling bodies o)t of the pile. #lliot began circling aro)nd the spot 1here the s)r2i2or had lain. A s&all p)ddle of blood soaked into the gro)nd 1here the inI)red person had lain. ?t looked like the body si&ply disappeared. G(o) lost hi&KG G=e 1andered do1nstrea& M)ite a 1ays. 'he tracks led hi& past the spot 1here Bob 'eller had left his horse tethered. %all *adge and tell her to ro)nd )p e2eryone she can.
. =e 1as right. 'he s)r2i2or st)&bled &ore and &ore often. =e or she began 2eering fro& bo)lder to the side of the g)lly. B)t e2en Doc 1as )nhinged a little by the &assacre in the ra2ine.G G?F& telling yo). 'hen the s)r2i2or cra1led another thirty feet.and #lliot proceeded to follo1 the trail of the lone s)r2i2or. Ahere the g)lly shallo1ed o)t.G Don cli&bed )p to the Dand <o2er.thereFs so&e blood b)t no other sign.Q Ϟ AeFre gonna need a lot &ore help to get G? belie2e yo).G G?Fd better go take a look.G G? do)bt it. ? think he fell at one point and lay for a 1hile before dragging hi&self farther. Of the first fi2e bodies they )ntangled fro& the pile. Alysson can fetch the&. GAeFre going to need &ore body bags and r)bber glo2es. 'here 1as no other sign. *aybe so&eone is still ali2e.G #lliot co)ld not gi2e )p on this lone s)r2i2or so easily.G Doc poked his head )p fro& the body he 1as e$a&ining. Stepper 1hinnied as he heard #lliot approach along the creek bed.Don ret)rned fro& his M)est.b)t ? gotta take a look.one in the chest and the other in the abdo&en.there 1as no &ore sign. At the botto&. 'he g)lly opened )p here to the point 1here the 2icti& &ight ha2e been able to get o)t. Before they had &ade &)ch progress. G? lost hi&-G he confessed. 'hen he disappeared. G@i2e Doc a hand.#lliot had seen hi& a)topsy bloated and p)trid bodies and then eat a f)ll &eal.G #lliot led hi& o2er to a spot 1here they co)ld cli&b do1n &ore easily. GDear lordHG he e$clai&ed. GAhat happened hereKG G'hatFs 1hat 1eFre trying to deter&ine-G #lliot told hi&. 'hey laid each body o)t on the creek bed and Doc ga2e it a M)ick going o2er before proceeding to the ne$t one. 'he other three bodies 1ere little &ore than charred bones.b)t there 1as no sign of this.b)t ? co)ldnFt pick )p his trail again. 'he only tracks he fo)nd belonged to his dep)ty.allo1ing Doc to find b)llet 1o)nds.G GDisappearedKG G(eah. ?t 1as like the person had lain here )ntil the #arth s1allo1ed hi& or her )p. And that I)st 1as not possible. Of the lone s)r2i2or. G? best get do1n there.spiraling o)t to co2er &ore and &ore gro)nd.to the ne$t bo)lder.the 1o)nded 2icti& tried to &ake it on his or her o1n.the trail si&ply 2anished.st)&blin+ &ore and &ore. Bob 1o)ld soon need to &o2e Stepper o)t of the s)n. 'he day 1as getting hot.1ea2ing thro)gh the creek bed for a little distance before collapsing. GAnd tell her to bring &e so&e l)nch. these bodies o)t of here. Undo)btedlythe ani&al 1as beginning to 1onder ho1 long its &aster 1o)ld lea2e it there.G Alysson 1as his n)rsereceptionist and secretary.

G'ake care of that horse.the 1itnesses fled in terror as soon as the perpetrators 1ere gone. Det &e take her to the ranch and ? can co&e back in &y tr)ck. And 1hoe2er it 1as. 'hey &ay ha2e seen the s)r2i2or escape and circled aro)nd to help.the gro)nd 1as )ndist)rbed.G #lliot had to ch)ckle. 'hen they cli&bed o)t of the g)lly and cra1led o2er for a closer look.? co)ldnFt keep &y &ind on anything else. G'hatFs probably o)r 2ol)nteers-G Don said. Ahen they left. Bob 'eller 1as there.G G?s that so. G?Fll 1ander o2er in a little bit and take a look. (o) did a good Iob-G he told Bob.G G'hanks for calling )s.G G'hatFs I)st 1hat ? 1as thinking. ?t had not been the s)r2i2or0 he or she did not ha2e the strength to e2en stand. ?f yo)Fre needed at ho&e.kno1ing this 1as o)t here. ?F& star2ingHG
.G *any of the teens in =eater had dirt Ϩ bikes. B)t ? think yo) better tend to yo)r horse before it gets tired of 1aiting and goes ho&e 1itho)t yo). Ae can )se the help.co&ing o2er to report. G'he ca&p site+s been )sed before.#lliot 1ondered as he ret)rned to the &)rder scene. (o)F2e been a big help.%learly. Don Ioined the&. Ae p)t o)t a call for help.Q Bob shook hands 1ith #lliot and Don. =e co)ld not detect so &)ch as a displaced pebble. GDooks like 1eF2e got so&e far&ers o)t here. B)t that scenario did not see& pla)sible.so&eone erased the trail. Aitnesses 1ho popped )p in the &iddle of no1here. *ore likely.G G? appreciate that. And look in on yo)r da)ghter. #lliot 1as al1ays after the& not to dri2e in to1n.G Bob 'eller had no &ore than left 1hen the Dand <o2er started sM)a1king. ?t &ight ha2e been the 1itnesses.G GAell. G@o on-G #lliot )rged hi&.b)t 1hyK 'hey had not cared abo)t all the tracks they left back at the &assacre site.helping Don separate the bodies 1hile Doc e$a&ined the&. L Bob left his 1ork as #lliot sho1ed )p. G'hey had a ca&p )pstrea& abo)t fi2e h)ndred yards. G? hope they re&e&bered to bring so&e food. #lliot co)ld not ha2e done s)ch a thoro)gh Iob hi&self. And inI)red s)r2i2ors 1ho disappeared 1itho)t a trace. ?t 1as another &ystery. Ahat ne$t.they hightailed it back to their ca&p. G'hey left a trail anyone co)ld follo1. 'hey &)st ha2e heard 1hat 1as going on o2er here and crept )p thro)gh the g)lly.theyFre doing a little gardening. :ehicles and 1eapons that pointed to the air force base. #$cept for the prints &ade by #lliot and his dep)ty. Ahoe2er erased this trail kne1 1hat he 1as doing.G G?t 1asnFt hard-G Bob said. Jor did he kno1 of anyone else 1ho co)ld. Doc looked )p fro& the body he 1as e$a&ining.don+t 1orry abo)t co&ing back. 'hereFs a patch of &ariI)ana.packed )p and took off on dirt bikes. 'hey had se2enteen corpses laid o)t on the creek bed so far. ?t &ight ha2e been one of the perpetrators. 'here 1as a s&all ca&pfire.

=a2ing their orders. 'heir eyes narro1ed 1hen he &entioned the =)&2eesas tho)gh both of the& 1ere trying hard not to blink.G(o) 1ant to lead the 1ayKG Dri2ing back to the cri&e scene. ?Fd g)ess so&e1here aro)nd fifty. GAhoFs &inding the shopKG GJo need-G <yan %hal&ers ans1ered hi&.G G?tFs a pretty sorry b)siness-G #lliot affir&ed. B)t here they 1ere 1ith al&ost their entire staff. 'he border patrol 1orked &ostly at night. G?Fll be right there.G(o) fo)r go on do1n there and relie2e the&.b)t there 1ere as &any or &ore bodies yet to be sorted o)t. G'he only thing going on today is o)t here. 'hey had r)n o)t of body bags0 the last t1o bodies lay )nco2ered. of the Border Patrol. >oe <iley dro2e the second 2ehicle. =e had intended to call the& once the bodies 1ere sorted o)t.G #lliot cli&bed in behind the steering 1heel and sh)t the door. 'he 2icti&s 1ere shot in the back of the tr)ck. Detecti2e <yan %hal&ers 1as dri2ing the lead 2ehicle 1ith Detecti2e Sid <ankin seated ne$t to hi& and 'erry *etcalf in the back seat.G <yan asked. G? 1as e$pecting so&e 2ol)nteers fro& to1n. G'here 1ere nine perpetrators in alltho)gh ? think the t1o dri2ing the tr)ck 1ere in2ol)ntary. Sid rolled do1n his 1indo1 as they p)lled )p ne$t to #lliot.there sho)ld be a co)ple officers fro& their o)tpost to help 1ork this case.he had a pretty good idea 1ho 1as calling hi&. G'his is <yan here.and Doc and Don 1ere carrying o2er another one. =ere they co)ld a2oid &essing )p the tracks at the cri&e scene.and a tr)ck to ha)l bodies. 'he pile 1as partially hidden by the face of the ra2ine. After siEing )p the scene<yan %hal&ers said.G #lliot nodded. ?t 1as a s)rprise to see al&ost their entire staff o)t here d)ring the day.he called o)t to Don and Doc. 'hey 1ere too I)&bled )p.and no tr)cks to transport the bodies.the Border Patrol officers gaped at the spectacle.G As he started the engine.G Of #lliot. 'hey co)ld see t1enty bodies laid o)t in the strea& bed.G G@et a body co)nt-G <yan told the officers. G'here 1as a tr)ck and t1o other 2ehicles. %ertainly. 'he radio sM)a1ked as he ca)ght his breath.)sing se&i-a)to&atics. =e led the& to the g)lly )pstrea& fro& the &)rder site. #$cept for the ranking detecti2es. GSheriff Pierce.o2er. GSheriff Pierce here.1ondering 1hy there 1ere no 2ol)nteers fro& to1n.and #lliot did not ha2e to 1ait long to find o)t 1hat it 1as. GAhat happened hereKG <yan asked. GAe hear yo) got a b)nch of dead 1etbacks o)t here.G #lliot 1atched the detecti2es as he filled the& in. #lliot 1aited for the&.he askedG(o) got a body co)ntKG GJot yet. AeFre o)t on the road.do yo) copyKG >)dging fro& the 2oice.G
.G G#lliot-G ca&e the response.and he 1as acco&panied by %olin Ferg)son and Ste2e Dandis.%%& 4urisdiction #lliot cli&bed )p the bank to ans1er the radio.so&ething str)ck #lliot as odd abo)t the arri2al . So&ething 1as not right abo)t this. G?F& gonna lead the& inHG =e sa1 the& before he reached the road. =e 1as a little 1inded fro& the cli&b. 'hen they 1ere d)&ped in the ra2ine and set on fire.they cli&bed do1n to the creek bed and set to 1ork.relie2ing Don and Doc.o2er.=)&2ees &ost likely. '1o Border Patrol Ieeps.

#lliot did not belie2e <yan 1o)ld condone s1eeping a &ass &)rder of this &agnit)de )nder the r)g. Ahate2er had passed bet1een the&. =e kne1 this 1as spitef)lness. GFine as can be e$pected.Q All day long. 'he noise spooks the horses. #lliot kne1 it 1o)ld be best for hi& to 1alk a1ay fro& it. B)t there 1as so&ething else that kept hi& fro& doing so.G 'here 1as a pa)se on the phone line. A part of hi& felt that if they 1anted to take o2er this case. L
. =e had al1ays been a stickler for proced)re. 'hey had.so&ething told hi& that to f)lfill his oath to ser2e and protect. All the rest of that day and &ost of the night. So&eone had been &onitoring police calls.G GAhatKG GAeF2e been ha2ing tro)ble o)t here 1ith kids fro& to1n riding their dirt bikes too close to the ranch. =is s)r2i2al instinct told hi& to forget abo)t it.contacted her. She tho)ght the call a little odd. And that &ade hi& think so&eone higher )p than Detecti2e <yan 1anted this thing b)ried.Q OShe+s not the only one. ? 1as I)st 1ondering if they &ight be yo)r 1itnesses.in fact. Do yo) kno1 their na&esKG G?t+s that b)nch Bobby Deering r)ns 1ith. B)t they had ne2er thro1n their 1eight aro)nd like this before.#lliot debated 1ith hi&self abo)t 1hether or not he sho)ld infor& the border patrol of the 1itnesses and the possible s)r2i2or. Back at the office.before they told hi& they 1ere taking o2er. <yan called and told her not to look for 2ol)nteersbeca)se he and his &en 1o)ld help o)t.G Ahy 1as #lliot not s)rprised.#lliot learned that *adge had not called the Border Patrol. O? kinda fig)red it &ight be the&. =e sho)ld tell the&. ?nt)ition told hi& that re2ealing this infor&ation to anyone 1o)ld ca)se tro)ble. =e asked ho1 #&&a 1as doing.they tended to lord it o2er local la1 enforce&ent.G'hereFs so&ething ? sho)ld tell yo). (o) keep an eye on yo)r da)ghter.he 1o)ld ha2e to toss aside all the la1s and protocols. SheFs o)t in the stables right no1. 'he case stank to high hea2en.b)t his int)ition told hi& that if he did so he 1o)ld regret it. ? e$pect she+s gonna ha2e a bad night tonight.as did all federal agents.#lliot 1restled 1ith this dile&&a.let the& find o)t for the&sel2es. 'hanks.b)t <yan led her to belie2e he had already been in contact 1ith the sheriff. #lliot called Bob 'eller fro& the office and told hi& the Border Patrol had taken o2er.so&e )ndefined int)ition.G Ϟ G%o)ld be. B)t in this partic)lar case. S)re.%)& 5nknown Players #lliot f)&ed abo)t this confrontation for the rest of the day. So&eone did not 1ant the local police on this case. ?t 1as the sa&e int)ition that kept hi& fro& &entioning anything 1hen he 1as filling the& in on the case.then Bob said.Bob. =e had al1ays gotten along 1ell eno)gh 1ith the Border Patrol in the past.

b)t she did not ans1er. An ho)r before s)nrise he fell asleep sitting in his chair.b)t 1as hi&self s1ept )p by the scarlet c)rrents. She cradled one of her ar&s in the other. =e drea&ed the to1n 1as flooding and he 1as 1atching it thro)gh his pict)re 1indo1. #lliot 1as b)ried and had to cla1 his 1ay o)t a&id the Ieers and la)ghter of those at the top of the ra2ine . She fell to the gro)nd 1ith a cry. And her left ankle 1as s1ollen and br)ised. All of his neighbors 1ere carried a1ay by the flood.and 1e 1ill call the t)nes.tho)gh he co)ld not place it. Being caref)l not #lliot to Ioin her.#lliot co)ld see she 1as pregnant. ?nstead. #lliot thre1 )p a hand to shield his eyes.G(o) I)st stay do1n there. <yan %hal&ers and Sid <ankin 1ere sitting on the edge of the bank abo2e hi&. =e ran o)tside to help the&.lapping aro)nd the cars and the ho)ses. 'he to1n 1as M)iet. #lliot Ioined her. ?t 1as lo1 and gra2elly. Ae donFt need yo) )p here. ?t 1as a 2oice filled 1ith sardonic h)&or.o)t to S1anson %reek. G'his is &y party-G the 2oice insisted.a 2oice boo&ed o)t. She 1ore a loose fitting dress of green and gray. 'he ar& she cradled 1as bleeding fro& the sho)lder.she directed #lliotFs attention do1nstrea& 1ith her eyes and a nod of her head.'he 'ellers 1eren+t the only ones 1ho had tro)ble sleeping that night.trying to stay in the shado1s )ntil he reached the bo)lders.in her early thirties and pretty. ?t 1as a =ispanic 1o&an. Fro& beyond the lights. G(o) are the s)r2i2orKG #lliot asked her.he co)ld co&e to no resol)tion.one or the other of the& 1o)ld place a foot atop his head and p)sh hi& back do1n.t1o shado1y for&s 1ere thro1ing do1n bodies. =e fo)ght to keep his head abo2e the s)rface as he 1as s1ept o)t of to1n. She started hobbling along the g)lly. Blood flo1ed thro)gh the streets and the yards. (o)Fll ha2e yo)r o1n party soon eno)gh. #lliot spent &)ch of the night sitting in his chair in the dark.and near f)ll ter& at that.Gand yo) are not in2ited. ?t 1ill be )nlike anything this 1orld has e2er seen. 'hro)gh it all.tho)gh she 1as in distress. Ahen he 1as not conte&plating this festering e2il or carrying on his internal debatethen he 1as reli2ing the e2ents of the pre2io)s &orning in his &e&ory. Ieers and la)ghter like the ra)co)s calls of b)EEards.G #lliot 1anted to dig a hole to escape fro& that 2oice and the 1o)nding lights.ready to eng)lf the& all. As he fo)ght free of the bodies. 'he 1o&an panicked and tried to r)n.G
. Despite the loose dress and the 1ay she held her ar&s in front of her. #lliot sn)ck along the side of the ra2ine. #lliot tried to get a look at 1ho 1as talking. GB)t donFt 1orry. 'he 1o&an s&iled at hi&.&o2e&ent in the ra2ine ca)ght his eye.dark-skinned. 'he 1o&an 2anished.1here he 1as d)&ped into the ra2ine and released as the flood receded do1nstrea&. GAhere do yo) think yo)Fre goingKG 'he 2oice 1as fa&iliar to #lliot. (o)Fd only be in the 1ay. =e 1as in the ra2ine and he co)ld not get o)t. Ahene2er #lliot tried to cli&b o)t. She 1as hiding a&ong Ϟ to be seen by those abo2e.b)t he co)ld feel so&e e2il brooding o)t there.she 1a2ed for so&e bo)lders do1nstrea&.b)t strong.G Je$t to the detecti2es. 'hey 1ere s)rro)nded by blinding lights.p)tting an ar& aro)nd her to help s)pport her. <yan ch)ckled as he told hi&.b)t he co)ld not see past the lights.looking o)t the front pict)re 1indo1.

#lliot realiEed the alar& 1as going off in his bedroo&. =e 1anted to dra1 )p into a protecti2e ball. GAhen ? fiddle.
Ϟ
. And o2er it all.the 1hole 1orld dancesHG 'he 2oice er)pted into e2il la)ghter that pro2ided a Iarring co)nterpoint to the dU&onic &)sic that beat do1n on hi&.#lliot had pretty &)ch &ade )p his &ind he 1o)ld contin)e his o1n in2estigation of the &assacre and find the killers.s)ffocating hi& )ntil he 1oke gasping for breath. Upon a1akening. =e co)ld not gi2e )p the in2estigation.as #lliot fo)nd hi&self sitting in his chair in the li2ing roo&.b)t neither co)ld he &ake a &o2e 1hile the drea& 1as still fresh in his &ind.he kne1 this &assacre 1o)ld bring doo& to the to1n.or people crying o)t in tor&ent. (et.Oppressi2e la)ghter beat at #lliot fro& all sides. 'he night&are and the disorientation fled fro& reality. Before falling asleep.1hile the decision 1as &ade. A de&ented calliope c)t thro)gh the air.the night&are left hi& paralyEed. 'he grating &)sic see&ed to hang in the air for a ti&e.the 2oice barked. #lliot felt despair and dissol)tion 1ash o2er hi& as the &)sic played. =e 1ent to 1ork and took the patrol in an effort to dri2e this night&are o)t of his head. 'he night&are stayed 1ith hi& thro)gh the &orning. ?t so)nded like cats being sto&ped on.

?f any of Ce2inFs friends had seen 1hat happened. #lliot decided to stop off and talk to Ce2in =o1ell.the trailer park 1here Ce2in li2ed 1ith his &other and his t1o sisters. B)t there 1as al1ays a chance it &ight get o)t of hand and so&eone &ight be har&ed. #lliot co)ld see Bobby Deering as a &ass &)rderer. #lliot co)ld not allo1 s)ch a horrible cri&e to happen 1ithin his I)risdiction and do nothing abo)t it.so long as they recei2ed their lot pay&ents.Vach and Diane *c%ready. ?t 1as an eyesore long before the econo&ic crash and had only gotten 1orse. Back 1hen the first &)rders occ)rred. 'he &ere possibility 1as intolerable. 'he boy acted defiant.b)t &)rder 1as another story. 'he deaths of 2agrants o2er the past co)ple years 1eighed hea2y on his &ind0 ho1 &)ch &ore so this &assacre. All of those dead bodies in S1anson %reek cried o)t for I)stice. B)t it co)ld ha2e 1itnessed 1hat 1ent on at S1anson @)lch the other night. 'he park 1as &anaged by DorraineFs parents. #lliot co)ld not do that0 it 1as &)ch easier to 1ash the s&ell of death off his body than it 1o)ld e2er be to 1ipe the i&age of those 2icti&s o)t of his &ind. ?t 1as a sorry collection of r)sting trailers packed together ne$t to an open cesspool.&anage&ent &eant sitting on yo)r ass in the office or do1n by the pool.b)t he 1as really scared. Ahat if he let this carnage pass only to ha2e it happen again.&)ch less his friends. =e told the boy they kne1 he 1as the fireb)g. Jobody had been inI)red in the fires0 Bobby 1as torching e&pty ho)ses.Ce2in 1o)ld kno1and he 1o)ld tell #lliot. ?t 1as not a &anor. 'hey had long ago allo1ed the la1n to die off so they 1o)ld not ha2e to &o1 it. #lliot headed for Do2eland *anor.then the story of 1hat happened 1as probably already circ)lating aro)nd the teens in =eater.andϞ if there 1ere any &ore arsons he 1o)ld pay for the&. =e let hi& kno1 they 1ere keeping a close eye on hi&. <)&or reached #lliot that Bobby Deering started the fires. Bobby 1as behind a rash of arsons that had plag)ed the to1n o2er the past fe1 years. And it 1orked. =e co)ld not gi2e )p on this case. ?f any of those boys 1itnessed the &assacre. ?n the *c%ready &an)al. So he dis&issed their in2ol2e&ent in the &)rders al&ost the sa&e &o&ent he considered it.the Gbad side of the tracksG as they )sed to say. #lliot had a g)t feeling all of these &)rders 1ere tied together. Arson 1as one thing.#lliot briefly s)spected Bobby Deering and his gang. 'here had not been another arson in =eater )ntil the &)rders.%+& On(oin( 6n!esti(ation =e 1as not going to gi2e )p on this case. #lliot ga2e hi& a lect)re he 1o)ld ne2er forget. 'he o1ners li2ed in %alifornia and did not &)ch care abo)t conditions in the park. ?f that 1as the case. 'he border patrol 1o)ld b)ry the 1hole thing.and it 1as #lliotFs d)ty to find that person and stop hi&. 'hat last one had been close. 'he fire spread to other ho)ses and nearly eng)lfed a 1hole block. #lliot re&e&bered the pri2ate chat he had 1ith Bobby Deering.those kids 1o)ld be in danger if 1ord get back to the perpetrators. 'hatFs all they e2er did/ take kick-backs and look the other 1ay. Ce2in =o1ell as &)ch as ad&itted to #lliot that he had been 1ith Bobby 1hen he lit the last fire. So&eone aro)nd here had de2eloped a taste for &)rder. L Do2eland *anor 1as on the so)th side of to1n.nor 1as there anything lo2ely abo)t it.and fireb)gs al1ays get b)rned in the end.
.

>eb OF%onner had been the bank president e2er since #lliot co)ld re&e&ber.<honda.shr)bs and l)sh la1ns. On this ply1ood sat an old co)ch 1ith st)ffing co&ing o)t of the c)shions.it 1as the only patch of green in the co)nty. #$cept for Dorraine and her kids.B)tch and >eff. A &enagerie of dogs and cats roa&ed thro)gh the yard.#lliot and his dep)ties had to &ake the ro)nds thro)gh ?ndian Aoodsasking residents not to 1ater their la1ns on odd n)&bered days.t1o-story ho)se 1ith a tin roof and flaking gray paint.she had done so by &arrying >ere&y =o1ell.and if any ?ndians had e2er li2ed in this part of the state. >ere&y and Dorraine had three children.Vach had his boys do the 1ork .Allison and Ce2in. 'he OF%onners opened the first bank in =eater. She had al1ays 1anted to escape fro& her fa&ily and rise abo2e the&. Jone of the grandchildren s)rna&e. Aside fro& the golf co)rse.and Dorraine Ioined the DadyFs %l)b in its ceaseless efforts to bea)tify the to1n.once he had eno)gh to &ake the trip 1orth1hile. 'he back yard held e2en &ore trash. Betty Do) had disappeared a fe1 years back.Ahen there 1ere repairs to be &ade. 'hey h)ng o)t at the co)ntry cl)b. L #lliot had gro1n )p 1ith Dorraine and he co)ld not help b)t sy&pathiEe 1ith her.they 1ere long gone.and as ti&e 1ore on 1hat lo2e there 1as died.tinplastic. 'here 1ere I)nk cars all o2er. 'he yard 1as a I)nkyard.<andy.1ere in2ited to all the right dinner parties.DiEa Do) li2ed at ho&e 1ith her children. 'here 1ere &o)nds of al)&in)&. 'he older boys. ?t 1as a decrepit. se2eral years yo)nger than Dorraine.in the Ϟ had fathers.b)t it 1as an e&pty life.*ichael and >)ne.or their night Iobs holding )p )n1ary tra2elers on the high1ay. Of the yo)nger da)ghters . #2ery s)&&er 1hen 1ater rationing 1ent into effect.1orked at SBC.and the 1ell-to-do fa&ilies li2ing there landscaped the area 1ith trees.<on and *el.an assort&ent of la1n f)rnit)re.and behind the garage 1as a 2eritable gra2eyard of old 2ehicles and other garbage.the entire *c%ready clan li2ed in this ho)se. =is fa&ily 1as related to the OF%onners.and an old refrigerator &in)s its door.and to1ers of old tires.the =eater Bank and 'r)st. 'he yo)nger boys.B)tch and >eff1orked the garbage ro)te 1hile their dad dro2e the tr)ck.all 1aiting to be ha)led to Phoeni$ for recycling. 'here had ne2er been a 1oods there. For
. 'here 1as little lo2e bet1een the&.and beat )p end tables. 1hen they 1ere not b)sy 1ith their daily Iobs at SBC ?&ports. ?t 1as the sort of life Dorraine had al1ays 1anted.1hich 1as fitting as Vach ran the to1nFs garbage ser2ice 1ith his t1o yo)ngest boys. 'he front porch had a sheet of ply1ood laid o2er it to co2er )p broken boards. Also pro&inent in the front yard 1as a porch s1ing fra&e &in)s the seat. 'hey all bore the *c%ready care of her sister.1hich later sold o)t to Jational %ity Bank and 1as then absorbed by *organ Stanley.along 1ith stacks of balding tires.lea2ing her son.past the side of the ho)se and thro)gh the back yard to a large garage that appeared ready to collapse at any &o&ent. A dri2e1ay 1o)nd a&id this I)nk. Dorraine &arried >ere&y for his position. B)t the streets there 1ere na&ed after ?ndian tribes. Dorraine and >ere&y li2ed in the ?ndian Aoods s)bdi2ision. ?t 1as VackFs intention to ha)l the tires to Phoeni$. 'he *c%ready ho)sehold sat ne$t to the entrance to the trailer park. >ere&y ran the Allstate branch in =eater. At one point.

>ere&y fo)nd o)t he 1as being c)ckolded. <honda and Allison gre1 )p to be braEen flirts.p)t on 1eight and lost her good looks. And 1hile Ce2in did not share the chip
. <andall Celler handled the retail end of the b)siness. =e 1as intelligent and principled. She sank into a deep depression.possibly any 1o&an in the so)th1est. She beca&e an a2id &e&ber of the =oly <edee&er Pentecostal ch)rch. 'he necessity of taking care of her children forced her to look for 1ork. 'he b)siness contin)ed to thri2e by dealing in &)ch shadier &erchandisetho)gh no one had e2er been able to pro2e anything.Dorraine 1as a possession.#lliot 1as s)re.she t)rned to religion to ass)age her conscience. Ce2in =o1ell 1as a good kid by #lliotFs reckoning. At the rate they 1ere going. <andall increased the ins)rance co2erage on their 1areho)se.>oseph lost &ost of the art gallery and Ie1elry store b)siness. =e 1as half o1ner.she hid in the ho)senot daring to sho1 her face in p)blic. Jo1 SBC dealt &ostly in so)2enirs and knick-knacks. 'he e&ployees locked hi& in a back roo& and held hi& there )ntil #lliot sho1ed )p.bringing in art obIects.e2en in his office.>ere&y 1as la)ghed at behind his back. She took a part-ti&e Iob in the cafeteria at <idgepoint AFB.1ith >oseph Stelling.and SBC beca&e >ere&yFs biggest acco)nt. =er in2ol2e&ent in the DadyFs %l)b and 2ario)s charities helped to solidify >ere&yFs position in the co&&)nity. 'ho)gh Dorraine 1as still a bea)ty at the ti&e. ?n ti&e. ?t 1as i&possible to hide their affection for each other. She 1as a bea)tif)l adorn&ent that sy&boliEed his s)ccess. *aybe it 1as tr)e lo2e. Jo1 DorraineFs sha&e had been eclipsed by the sha&e of her da)ghters.Ie1elry stores. Ahile they 1ere not e$actly hookers.in ch)rch.ho1e2er. 'he &an co)ld ha2e any 1o&an in to1n.selling in2entory to art galleries.it 1o)ld not s)rprise #lliot if they 1ere both plying the trade professionally in Das :egas by the ti&e they 1ere in their &id-t1enties.<andall and >oseph &anaged to b)ild a &ore legiti&ate b)siness. 'hey 1ere hea2y drinkers. 'hey partic)larly lo2ed &en in )nifor&.so)2enir shops and trading posts thro)gho)t the so)th1est.#lliot did not kno1 1hy <andall 1as so taken 1ith a social cli&bing ho)se1ife and &other of three. Dorraine did not attend the f)neral. For &ore than a &onth. Back then SBC had not been as in2ol2ed in illegal trade as it no1 1as. =is biggest proble& 1as the people by 1hich he 1as s)rro)nded/ his sistersthe *c%readyFs and Bobby Deering.let the& &o2e her into a trailer at Do2eland *anor. =er parents tried to get her to &o2e in 1ith the& b)t she ref)sed.>ere&y. DorraineFs lo2eless &arriage and the i&portance she placed on social stat)s &ade her s)sceptible to the attentions of <andall Celler. Both boys li2ed in the trailer park0 they had gro1n )p together. >ere&y talked abo)t his plans to spend part of the sales co&&ission Ϟ on a 2acation to =a1aii. Fro& the early days 1hen its trade 1as 1holly M)estionable.and not a 1eekend 1ent by that they 1ere not o)t li2ing it )p 1ith the &en fro& the air force base. 'here probably had been so&e che&istry there too. =e 1ent to SBC ?&ports and shot <andall Celler dead. >oseph Stelling ran the i&port end of the b)siness.of SBC ?&ports. <andall 1as a handso&e &an 1ith a &agnetic personality. >ere&y handled the ins)rance acco)nt for SBC.archeological treas)res and folk crafts fro& *e$ico. She did. Bobby 1as Ce2inFs best friend.it 1as 1ell kno1n that the girls 1o)ld sho1 their gratit)de to any &an 1ho bro)ght the& a present.and their affair 1as the talk of the to1n. She had to sell the ho)se in ?ndian Aood. After <andallFs death. ?n the co)ntry cl)b. 'he 2acation ne2er happened.

inheriting nothing b)t the dysf)nction of their parents. #lliot sla&&ed on the brakes. =e did not re&e&ber seeing that trailer before.fanning herself as she s)r2eyed her hard-baked sandy lot and the side of the neighboring trailer. As he planned o)t his night e$c)rsion. =e &ade )p his &ind to co&e back at night. ?F& I)st trying to cool off a bit before ? go back in and get ready for Aednesday ser2ices.along 1ith Vach and Diane. Aas he o)t all night *onday.on his dirt bikeKG
. L #lliot t)rned onto the long dri2e1ay leading into the trailer park. #lliot 1a2ed as he passed by. =e 1as itching to in2estigate. =e dro2e aro)nd the trailer park and p)lled )p in front of DorraineFs trailer. 'he trailer 1as partially hidden by a school b)s. ?n tr)th.right behind her Dats)n.#lliot. *ore than half of the trailers in the park 1ere e&pty.b)t e2en those that 1ere occ)pied 1ere in bad shape.&ost of the kids 1ere at the pool.the garage and I)nkyard. GSo 1hat is yo)r b)sinessKG G?s Ce2in aro)ndKG G=e 1as gone 1hen ? got ho&e after ser2ing l)nch in the cafeteria. =ad Vach glanced to1ard the I)nkyard 1here the se&i trailer satK #lliot 1as not s)re.G GSer2ices at =oly <edee&erKG Dorraine nodded her head. G?s the po1er o)t againKG GOf co)rse. Jo1. 'he *c%readyFs looked concerned abo)t his presence in the trailer park. On this hot s)&&er day.to see these poor )rchins r)nning aro)nd at all ho)rs of the day and night.h)ngry.an old school b)s. Ascertaining that Ce2in 1as not at the pool. ?s he in tro)bleKG G? hope not. #lliot glanced o2er at the &o)nds of garbage as he dro2e past. GAhat brings yo) here on this hot dayKG G? 1ish it 1asnFt b)siness.the rest of the Ϟ to1n 1as falling to the le2el of the trailer park.tho)gh #lliot hated to ad&it it.it re&ained to be seen 1hether he 1o)ld allo1 his childhood friend to drag hi& do1n.dirty. ?t broke #lliotFs heart 1hene2er he ca&e to this trailer park.b)t so&ething told hi& that 1o)ld be a bad idea right no1. ?t 1as off on the far side of the I)nkyard.b)t #lliot tho)ght he co)ld detect b)llet holes in the side. ?nt)ition 1as not the right 1ord for the alar&s that 1ere going off. 'he &aIor difference 1as the presence of people.it 1as diffic)lt to tell 1here the *c%readyFs I)nkyard left off and the trailer park began.partic)larly yo)ng children r)nning aro)nd )ns)per2ised. Ahen protecti2e ser2ices 1as still acti2e in =eaterDo2eland *anor kept the& b)sy.)ncared for.he contin)ed )p the dri2e1ay.he did not stop.and the *c%ready brood.G #lliot did not fail to notice the dirt bike chained to the side of the porch.g)tted cars. 'he dri2e1ay took hi& past the *c%ready ho)se. All the 1indo1s of the trailer 1ere cranked open and Dorraine sat o)tside in a 1hite plastic chair )nder the a1ning.Bobby carried aro)nd on his sho)lder. G@ood afternoon.so&e distance fro& the dri2e1ay.hoping no one had seen hi& stop.a se&i trailer fro& SBC ?&ports.G Dorraine greeted hi& as he cli&bed o)t of the patrol car and 1alked o2er to the side porch 1here she sat.

Je2er &ind the night&ares or the 1arning instincts.G #lliot sh)t his door and started the engine. ?t 1o)ld be a long and b)sy e2ening. =is response contradicted DorraineFs state&ent that Ce2in had been o)t &ost of the night on his dirt bike. =e had the rest of the day planned o)t already. #lliot had rattled their cages asking abo)t tro)ble at SBC.#lliot radioed the office to &ake s)re all of his dep)ties 1o)ld be there 1aiting for hi& 1hen he ret)rned.GB)tch 1asnFt there.G #lliot opened his car door and cli&bed in. GB)t they do a f)ll in2entory e2ery M)arter. fro& early in the &orning )ntil late at night.G Vach contin)ed to speak for his son.Q G'hey donFt.1atching hi& )ntil he t)rned the corner.he told the t1o &en. do1n the dri2e1ay. 'hey 1ere si&ply trying to co2er for hi&.G GJo.part ti&e to start-G B)tch infor&ed hi&.G G@ood.G B)tch f)&bled.G?f yo) ha2e any tro)ble aro)nd the park . She did not e2en bother to ret)rn his 1a2e. Vach and B)tch stood on the side1alk. =e 1as in it no1.G GDonFt 1orry. ?t 1as like the sky itself 1as ill abo)t 1hat happened o)t at S1anson %reek. ?t &akes for a long day . #lliot 1a2ed to Diane as he dro2e by the pool again.#lliot 1as deter&ined to find the c)re. #lliot do)bted any of the& kne1 1hat he 1anted 1ith the boy. 'he sky had cast a ghastly pallor o2er the to1n for se2eral days no1. G? didnFt kno1 SBC ran a night shift. She 1atched hi& 1ith f)rro1ed bro1 as he dro2e past.eyeballing the se&i trailer =e 1as s)re the ad2ertise&ent 1as p)nct)ated by b)llet holes.G G? got hired in. =e 1o)ld ret)rn after dark to e$a&ine the se&i trailer.? &ean. #lliot looked )p at the sickly red and yello1-green sky as he headed to the office.
.G G? hope yo) didnFt ha2e any proble&s *onday nightK Aith the in2entory. Of co)rse. Before he sh)t the door.Vach lied abo)t the boy being at his ho)se )ntil late *onday night. ?f the to1n 1as diseased. GJo proble&s. Dea2ing the trailer park. G=e 1as 1orking 1ith his brothers at SBC. =e dro2e slo1ly Ϟ 1ith GSBC ?&portsG painted on the side. donFt hesitate to call &e. Aith a 1a2e to Dorraine and the &enhe p)lled o)t and dro2e a1ay. or else1here .leading into a b)sy night.G Vach ans1ered for his son.Sheriff. Vach and B)tch 1ere on edge.

& A Mother7s Trials After the sheriff dro2e a1ay. =e can 1ork the garbage ro)te.Q GSheriffFs got no b)siness harassing Ce2in-G Vach said. GCe2in o)ght not to be hangin+ aro)nd 1ith hi&-Q Vach 1ent on.b)t ? need to find hi& a Iob o)tside this trailer park.crying to be let in 1hen the ti&e co&es. She noticed that the sheriffFs presence see&ed to )pset hi& &ore than her.G )*m sure he ould.G G(o)Fll be singing a different t)ne 1hen the end co&es. ?t did no good.DorraineKG G?F& fine. 'he police &ade 1eekly 2isits to Do2eland *anor for one reason or another. G?Fll think on it. Preacher says 1e donFt ha2e &)ch ti&e left. ?f he had anything to do 1ith the& broken 1indo1s.G
.Q GDorraine. Ce2in 1o)ld be happy to 1ork 1ith &e and >eff. =alf the ti&e the police co&e o)t here.he ainFt gonna be able to help &e &)ch aro)nd here. G(o)Fll be banging on o)r doors. GAre *a and DiEa going to &eeting tonightKG GDonFt think so. (o) think abo)t it.G She did Ϟ not say that she needed to get hi& a1ay fro& Vach and the fa&ily as &)ch as Bobby Deering.Dad.its on acco)nt of that boy.G G(o) canFt p)t a price on rede&ption. GCe2inFs a good boy.G Vach t)rned a1ay.G She looked )p at the bloated. Vach follo1ed her gaEe.G G(o) do that.1hy do yo) scrape to gi2e hi& that kind of &oney 1hen yo) can hardly co2er yo)r billsKG Vach had helped her 1ith the lot rent for the last t1o &onths. Vach p)t a foot on the steps and leaned an elbo1 on the rail.and that*s part of the problem.G GOr c)E his dadFs beatinF on hi& and his &a-G B)tch p)t in. Dorraine 1atched hi& fro& atop the porch. And it is co&ing.discolored sky.and Dorraine tho)ght she detected so&e fear in his eyes at 1hat 1as happening )p there.Vach and B)tch strolled o2er to the porch. ? o)ght to of gi2e that fa&ily the boot long ago.G GJo offense. =o1 abo)t Ce2in taking his placeK G GAnd thatFs gonna keep hi& o)t of tro)bleKG G'hereFs plenty here to keep hi& b)sy.Dad.Q G?tFs gonna be an i&portant &eeting. G? can pay hi& fi2e a&eros an ho)r.G G<e2erend %hasseyFs reM)ests got a little too rich for their blood. G(o)Fre telling &eKG Dorraine co)ld not co)nt the n)&ber of ti&es she had told Ce2in he co)ld not hang aro)nd 1ith Bobby any&ore.Part Four — Family A airs
%. G'he rest of to1n thinks yer all n)ts 1ith that da&n bed and breakfast heFs got yo) b)ildin+.Dorraine tho)ght.it 1as Bobby DeeringFs fa)lt. GJo1 that B)tch hired in at SBD. Ahat 1as her dad )p to that he 1as so dist)rbed by this partic)lar 2isitK G(o) alright.

=er &o& and her sister had been ready eno)gh to co&e to ch)rch 1hen the i&age of %hrist appeared. B)t they I)st co)ld not grasp the i&portance of the Sal2ation =all.
.G?F& gonna gi2e old &an Stelling a call and ha2e hi& send yo)r brothers o2er.Dorraine heard Vach tell B)tch.trying to raise three kids in this trailer park1ith all the bad infl)ences aro)nd here.G Allison entered the li2ing roo& fro& the kitchen 1ith t1o glasses of to&ato I)ice. G(o) t1o get so&e clothes onHG G?tFs too hot in here. As she t)rned to enter the ho)se. And 1hen it ca&e do1n to &oneyP 1ell. 'hey agreed it 1as a sign that <e2erend %hassey 1as >es)sFs chosen disciple.and her fa&ily so close by and al1ays b)tting in. ?n the &eanti&e.the skies looked like they &ight rain for forty days and forty nights. She &ight not be able to keep her kids o)t of tro)ble in this 1orldb)t she 1o)ld &ake s)re they had sal2ation at the end. Bed and breakfast.
Ϟ
L Dorraine bro)ght her &other and her sister to the ch)rch in the hope it 1o)ld 1ake the& )p . ? donFt kno1 1hy they had to bring that thing here in the first place.G As they 1alked a1ay.Dorraine pict)red <e2erend %hassey as Joah.Dorraine g)essed they I)st did not think sal2ation 1as 1orth the cost.G She handed one of the glasses to her sister and took a drink of her o1n. =e held her here so he co)ld sa2e her by 1ay of <e2erend %hassey. ?t 1as early yet.a cigarette in her hand.indeed.1eFre gonna ha2e to &o2e fast. She kne1. Jo1 she kne1 ho1 Joah &)st ha2e felt. She had a hard ti&e scri&ping and sa2ing.?F2e got to tend to this trailer park soFs yo)Fll ha2e a place to li2e if+n the 1orld doesnFt end this 1eek. ?t 1as eno)gh to &ake her despair. and thro)gh the&.her father and brothers. Dorraine 1ondered 1hat her fa&ily 1as )p to that the sheriffFs presence sho)ld p)t s)ch a bee in their bonnet.tho)ghthat @od had kept her here for a reason. Aith the sheriff snoopin+ aro)nd.1ith the Sal2ation =all nearly co&pleted. <honda 1as a1ake no1.b)t she finally had eno)gh &oney to b)y berths for herself and her three children. G=eFs o)r brother.ha2ing to do the DordFs bidding as all his friends and neighbors dro1ned. GAeFll get dressed before 1e lea2e.G(er so dedicated to that ch)rch ?F2e no do)bt yo)Fll be able to hold the gates open for )s.and she leaned on her fa&ily &ore than she 1anted to.G G*o&.as hot as an o2en 1itho)t any po1er to r)n the air conditioner. She co)ld help prepare for the &eeting.b)t she decided to get ready and head o2er to the ch)rch. %ertainly.Dorraine co)ld not gi2e )p on her fa&ily.and she felt so &)ch safer at the ch)rch. =o1e2er hard she tried to escape the&. (o) head on o2er to the garage andP. Ce2in spent too &)ch ti&e at his grandfatherFs ho)se any1ay.leading his flock to sal2ation in their o1n ark.parading aro)nd in her )nder1ear I)st like her sister.G <honda flopped do1n on the co)ch. =er dad tho)ght Ce2in sho)ld 1ork 1ith hi&K Jo telling 1hat sort of tro)ble he 1o)ld get &i$ed )p in. Dorraine glanced )p at the befo)led sky and shi2ered in spite of the oppressi2e heat.G GAhat if yo)r brother 1alked in here right no1.G =is 2oice drifted o)t of hearing. Dorraine often c)rsed herself for not &o2ing o)t of to1n years ago. 'he i&age left her as she stepped into the trailer.

G ?n the kitchen.b)t itFs a start.1hat good is s)ccess 1itho)t self-respectKG G? told yo) she 1o)ldnFt )nderstand-G Allison said to her sister. G'he 'iptop Do)ngeK @irls.
. She cr)shed o)t her cigarette in the ashtray on the Ϟ cl)ttered coffee table and drank the rest of her to&ato I)ice.G GAhere atKG G'he 'iptop Do)nge-G <honda ans1ered 1ith a hint of defiance. AeFre &o2ing to Phoeni$ this 1eekend.shaking her breasts and her botto& as she did so. 'heyFre ha2ing food riotsH People are getting killed in the streetsHG GAeFll be alright. Allison la)ghed and ble1 hi& a kiss before going back into the ho)se.)gly as e2erKG <honda sipped her to&ato I)ice and s&oked her cigarette.people are star2ing to death in DA. =e sat 1here he 1as.*o&. Staring at Allison. She gaEed at the sky.G Dorraine stepped o2er to the co)ch to chastise her da)ghter.G G'he 'iptop Do)nge is only a first step. AeFre not gonna 1ork o)rsel2es to the bone like yo). GAe can &ake so&e fast &oney there.*o&&a.GB)t he doesnFt need to see yo) parading aro)nd in yo)r )nder1ear. GAllisonHG Dorraine 1as nearly in tears. GOh girls. G=ello 1orldHG she called o)t. Stop being s)ch a pr)de. 'oo hot to e2en sleep.)gly as e2er. G'his to1n is dyinF-G <honda said.*o&&a-G <honda clarified. Ae 1onFt be aro)nd &)ch longer to e&barrass yo). GAe got a&bitions.she set her e&pty glass on the co)nter.)nable to take his eyes off her. AeF2e got Iobs.G(ep.G GDonFt yo) girls ha2e any decencyK ? can hardly hold &y head )p 1hen ? go to 1ork beca)se ? kno1 yo)F2e been 1ith half the &en on that baseHG <honda sat )p on the co)ch. G(o) canFt 1ork thereH S)rely yo) can find so&ething better to doKG GDook *o&. G'he =o1ell sisters are ready for so&e f)nHG '1el2e-year-old >)an SancheE 1as riding by on his bicycle. ?f yo) think itFs hard here.G GAllison =o1ellH (o) get o)t of that door1ay this instantH ?tFs bad eno)gh yo) t1o parading aro)nd half naked 1ith the door 1ide openH (o) donFt need to p)t on a sho1 for the 1hole neighborhoodHG GDo yo) really think 1e ha2e an a)dienceKG Allison opened the door and stepped o)t onto the porch. G=o1 &any ti&es ha2e ? told yo) not to )se the DordFs na&e in 2ainKG Allison stepped into the door1ay to look o)tside.I)st to hold on to so&e lo)sy trailer. G@od itFs hot in here. Jot at his age.thatFs a strip IointHG G?t pays a hell of a lot better than 1hat yo)Fre &akin+-G <honda reIoined.G GAeFre gonna be &odels and &o2ie stars-G Allison bragged.G Allison approached her &other fro& the kitchen.he crashed into the c)rb across the street and fell off his bike.G GAe got plans *o&&a.G G=o1 is it o)tside. GDonFt 1orry.G Allison strolled past on her 1ay to the kitchen. G#2en if yo) do s)cceed.G <honda so)ght to ass)re her.*o&. G'here ainFt no reason to stay here. S)re Phoeni$ ainFt a 1hole lot better.and then 1eFre bo)nd for DA. GAhat is 1rong 1ith yo)KG GOh. G'he 1ork is easy and the pay is good.

'ho)gh it 1as the biggest of the three bedroo&s.back to her bedroo&. And once 1eF2e &ade it.1hatFs 1rongKG Ce2in 1as standing in the door1ay. G%o&e to ch)rch 1ith &e.*o&. =o1 lonely 1o)ld sal2ation be. G'hereFs nothing to sol2e.Dorraine dried her eyes and ble1 her nose. G%o&e to ch)rch 1ith &e.G G<e2erend %hassey is a n)t.and for her son. Jo1 the end ti&es 1ere )pon the& and her da)ghters 1ere thro1ing their lot in 1ith the )nbelie2ers. And no1 her children 1ere paying for her sin as 1ell. AeFll send yo) &oney. GAnd he probably 1ill. She hadnFt the heart to get ready for ch)rch.G 'he sisters 1ent into the tiny bedroo& they shared and changed into bikinis.1eFll bring yo) to DA to li2e in style. DetFs go to the pool and cool off. 'hen she began to beg again.for the f)t)re her da)ghters 1ere thro1ing a1ay.and Ce2in.1ith the do)ble bed and the dresser there 1as barely eno)gh roo& to lea2e a path1ay aro)nd the bed. @rabbing a tiss)e fro& the bo$ on her dresser. GAnd heFs takin+ yo) for a ride. She had str)ggled hard to ins)re their sal2ation. G?tFs too hot in here. Dorraine cried for her past. =o1 long had it been since her affair 1ith <andall Celler ended in tragedyK =o1 long 1o)ld she ha2e to go on paying for that one errorK She had gro1n old trying to atone. GDonFt do this.G L 'he sisters headed off for the pool. <e2erend %hassey 1ill sol2e this.G GAhy+re yo) cryingKG G? had another arg)&ent 1ith yo)r sisters.and to pro2ide a better life for her children.G Allison passed a to1el to <honda as they headed for the front door.kno1ing her da)ghters 1ere lostK G*o&.G <honda co)ld not take &)ch &ore of this. GOh.s1eaty 2isage in the &irror o2er the dresser. Stepping aro)nd the side of the bed.G G? donFt 1ant that kind of &oney. GAeF2e &ade o)r plans-G <honda told her &other as they stopped at the door to p)t on sandals.G G*o&. Ahat had she done to deser2e thisK All she e2er 1anted 1as to better herself.she ga2e her son a h)g.Ϟ lea2ing their &other speechless behind the&. Dorraine sat do1n on the foot of the bed and looked at her teary-eyed.
. GAeFre gonna take care of yo).G Dorraine retorted.G G'hat old goat can co&e to the 'iptop Do)nge if he 1ants to see )s.G Dorraine so)ght to lighten her 2oice and hide her sadness. Dorraine felt the life drain o)t of her as she 1atched the& sa)nter a1ay in their string bikinis.G Allison giggled as she stepped o)t onto the porch. Ahere had she gone 1rongK Defeated.G GAllisonH <e2erend %hassey is the DordFs chosen disciple. AeFll pray together.G Allison br)shed by her and 1ent into the bathroo& to fetch a co)ple to1els.<honda stood )p.she 1andered thro)gh the broiling trailer.G G@ood idea.nothing.fretting the 1hole ti&e. Dorraine follo1ed the& to the door1ay.G <honda follo1ed her sister thro)gh the door. 'hey+ll I)st )se yo) )p and spit yo) o)tHG G#$c)se &e.

After yo) eat.G Backing into the bathroo& and reaching for the doorknob.
.especially if they hango)t 1ith the 1rong kind of friends.yo)Fd tell &e abo)t it. Ahy donFt yo) co&e alongKG G*aybe.G'he sheriff ca&e by today.1ash )p and change into so&e good clothes.b)t she co)ld read hi& 1ell eno)gh to kno1 he 1as co2ering )p so&ething. B)t if it 1as i&portant to his &o& that he attend the ser2ice.happy so&eone in her fa&ily 1o)ld attend ch)rch 1ith her.and ?F& afraid itFs going to get 1orse before it gets better. =e kept glancing at yo)r scooter.1o)ldnFt yo)KG Ce2in nodded. (o) and Bobby 1erenFt riding aro)nd o2er by the school. G? 1o)ldnFt 1ant yo) to tattle on yo)r friends.1ere yo)KG GJo.GJo1 ?F2e got to get ready. B)t e2en good people can get into tro)ble. G=e s)spects Bobby.G Ce2in str)ggled not to so)nd ner2o)s. G?t happened *onday night1hile yo) 1ere o)t 1ith yo)r friends.Q G'hatFs 1hat ? told hi&. Dorraine 1atched her son as she spoke.she said. ?n retrospect.Gthe 1orld is falling apart. G?F2e spoken to yo) of the end ti&es.Q GAell.G G(eah. 'hereFs a ch)rch &eeting tonight.G Ce2in 1as al1ays annoyed 1ith his sisterspartic)larly Allison.G Ce2in did not like the ch)rch or the <e2erend. GCe2in.G She ga2e hi& another little h)g.G Ce2in t)rned a1ay in fr)stration. GAhat did he 1antKG G=e tho)ght yo) &ight kno1 abo)t so&e broken 1indo1s at the school. GCe2in. GAre yo) h)ngryK 'hereFs so&e &acaroni salad in the refrigerator.G Dorraine 1ent into the bathroo& and ran 1ater into the sink. <e2erend %hassey ga2e hi& the creeps. Ahy do people ha2e to be so cr)elKG Dorraine reached o)t a hand and caressed his cheek.Ce2in had been on edge since *onday night. ? donFt kno1 anything abo)t it.G GBobby hasnFt been )p to anything.G Ϟ So&ething 1as eating the boy )p inside. GDonFt yo) 1orry.1hatFs bothering yo)KG G? donFt kno1. She belie2ed her son. (o)r grandfather clai&ed yo) 1ere at his ho)se all e2ening.e2erythingFs gonna be alright.b)t yo) kno1 yo) co)ld tr)st &e to help yo) find a 1ay o)t.G GAe ha2enFt done anything 1rong.G GAe 1erenFt any1here near the high school.if yo) got into so&e kind of tro)ble.G Dorraine stepped into the door1ay to the bathroo&.then he pa)sed and do)bled back to face his &other.G? 1ish they 1o)ldnFt fight 1ith yo). GFine. G?tFll be alright-G she ass)red hi&.the end ti&es are co&ing. <e2erend %hassey can e$plain it a 1hole lot better than ? can.then he 1o)ld go.G G(o)Fre a good boy. DonFt lea2e the door open too long 1hile the po1erFs o)t.G Dorraine tested the 1ater in the sink and t)rned off the fa)cet.1hatFs happening to )sK ? &ean-G he str)ggled to find the right 1ords. G*o&. =e 1as looking for yo).G She sh)t the door and began to 1ash )p.G She ga2e hi& a h)g.

b)t there 1as not a sign of Ce2in. Cids. *aybe it 1as a trick of her i&agination. B)t yo) canFt protect the& fore2er. #2ent)ally they ha2e to strike o)t into the 1orld on their o1n. 'his 1orld 1as going insane. She had to ens)re their sal2ation. Ahile she 1as rinsing the soap fro& her face.red and yello1-green sky. She did belie2e Ce2in kne1 nothing abo)t the broken 1indo1s. Arapping the to1el aro)nd her sho)lders to co2er her bare boso&. She looked o)tside thro)gh the li2ing roo& 1indo1. 'here 1as so&ething &)ch &ore serio)s tro)bling hi&. <e2erend %hassey 1o)ld kno1 1hat to do.she tho)ght she detected so&e &o2e&ent in that )gly. Ahat had co&e )p that he had changed his plans and taken off so s)ddenlyK =ere 1as so&ething else to 1orry abo)t. =er resol2e and her faith 1ere strengthened by the need to protect her children. B)t the 1orld 1as I)st too dangero)s. ? gotta goH Do2e yo)HG GCe2inHG she called o)t.Ce2in called o)t to her thro)gh the door.and all yo) can do is be there for the&. 'hey 1o)ld see reason and gi2e )p this foolish idea of fa&e and stardo&.she e2en began to feel &ore positi2e abo)t the girls.at least to his &ind. GCe2inKG =e 1as gone already. G?Fll ha2e to go to ch)rch another ti&e. #2erything 1as discolored on acco)nt of the sky0 it 1as 2ery dist)rbing. She 1o)ld bring the& aro)nd. Ϟ Dorraine 1ent back to her bedroo& to get ready for the ch)rch &eeting. She rinsed off and grabbed a to1el. =e 1o)ld help her to sa2e her children.Dorraine co)ld not g)ess.she h)rried o)t of the bathroo&. (o) try to raise the& the best 1ay yo) kno1 ho1. 'he &otor bike 1as still chained to the porch. Dooking )p.At least she still had Ce2in.and her precio)s children 1ere being s)cked into the &adness. As she 1ashed.
.half-blinded by the soapy 1ater.*o&. Ahat it 1as.

Bobby 1as there already 1hen Ce2in arri2ed. Ste1 blabbed.r)sted deli2ery tr)ck. ?t 1as hidden fro& the trailer park by an old.G Ce2in h)ng )p the phone.GDid the sheriff talk to yo)KG GJo.&ade his e$c)se to his &o& for not attending the ch)rch &eeting and took off to &eet Bobby.&y &o&.G G*y old &anFs abo)t to sho1 )p any &in)te-G Bobby said.e2en after Ce2in confessed to hi& that he told the sheriff abo)t the fires.b)t it 1as not the 2iolence of o2erpo1ering bra1n. Ce2in had &ade o)t 1ith Sheri do1n here a co)ple of ti&es hi&self. G*eet &e at the hango)t.G Bobby so)nded as an$io)s as Ce2in did.s&oking a cigarette 1ith that caged ani&al look to his eyes that he got 1hene2er he felt o)t of control.G G(o) belie2e hi&KG
.Q G(eah. GAe got tro)ble. An car seat had been dragged into this clearing long ago. GOh. he tried to &o2e o)t here and &ake it his ho&e.&an.and Sally had too &)ch class to &ake o)t in a I)nkyard. Bobby and Ce2in added to the f)rnishings Ϟ an old rocking chair &issing one ar& and a beat )p co&p)ter desk they kept steady by leaning it against the side of the deli2ery tr)ck.Q GDid the sheriff stop by yo)r place tooKG G'he sheriffHG Bobby ca)ght his breath. ?t 1as far eno)gh fro& VachFs ho)se and garage to be isolated and o)t of sight. B)t he 1as really h)ng )p on Sally @ardener. G? donFt kno1.G? didnFt e2en see hi&.? kno1. ?t 1as a s&all clearing 1alled in by stacks of tires and I)nked cars.G GOkay. =e 1as sitting on the car seat. Bobby 1o)ld co&e do1n here and sleep on the car seat 1hen he had to get a1ay fro& his dad.? 1as I)st getting ready to call yo). aro)nd the ti&e he 1as setting fires .G Ste1art *arks had been 1ith the& on *onday night. 'hat had not lasted long. 'he hango)t 1as a secl)ded spot in the back of Ce2inFs grandfatherFs I)nkyard. On the desk they kept a broken co&p)ter &onitor as a sort of Ioke. =e said it happened *onday night. =e told &y &o& he 1as nosing aro)nd abo)t so&e broken 1indo1s at the high school. GAhatKG G=e told his brother and <onnie Barkell.G G@reatHG Bobby rolled his eyes and flopped back in the seat. =e 1as a lanky and 1iry yo)ng &anal1ays poised like a s1itchblade ready to spring open if the slightest press)re 1as applied to the trigger b)tton. =e had ne2er gone off on Ce2in.G Bobby bl)rted this o)t M)ickly so he co)ld get to his o1n M)estion. Bobby had an a)ra of 2iolence abo)t hi&.G Ce2in sat on the edge of the old rocker. Bobby ans1ered on the second ring.did yo)KG GJa1. 'he first thing he asked Ce2in 1as/ G(o) didnFt say anything to the sheriff.%-& Secrets "etrayed Ce2in called Bobby Deering on his cell phone 1hile his &o& 1as 1ashing )p. GBobbyKG G=ey. Di2ing closer to the hango)t. A co)ple of years ago . =e )sed to bring Sheri Bo1er do1n here to &ake o)t 1ith her before her fa&ily &o2ed a1ay.

G Ce2in co)ld think of nothing else to gi2e the& hope. Jo telling ho1 long ago they 1ere broken. 'hey s&oked for a 1hile in silence.Ce2in. 'hat d)&b f)ckHG G=e didnFtP.G? sa1 so&e broken 1indo1s 1hen ? 1ent by the school on S)nday. GAeFre done for.G Bobby e$haled cigarette s&oke as he spoke.G GPennyK ShitH 'he 1hole to1n &)st kno1 by no1H Ahat+d he tell the&KG G'oo f)cking &)ch. Ste1 blabbed.G GAhat 1e gonna doK *aybe the sheriff 1ill p)t )s in protecti2e c)stody.G G=e told his brotherKG GAnd <onnie Barkell.b)t Bobby c)t hi& off. And <onnie told his girlfriend.G Ce2in took the cigarette.shit. ? told hi& ? didnFt kno1 1hat he 1as talking abo)t.G Ce2inFs )ncle. Shit.<ay *c%ready.shit. G'hanks. G(o) think his brother told their parentsKG Finishing his cigarette. GB)t 1hyK =o1 co)ld he kno1K ?f they+d spotted )s.G Ce2in kneaded his forehead 1ith his right pal&. 'he sheriff canFt help )s. 'his is the f)cking &ilitary 1eFre talking abo)t. G#2erybodyFs talking abo)t the &)rders. <ay 1as a big &an. =e p)lled another o)t of a half e&pty pack and offered one to Ce2in. G'heyF2e e2en got yo)r grandpa helpin+ the&.Ce2in dropped the b)tt on the gro)nd and cr)shed it o)t 1ith his foot.and the offered light. G(o) think the sheriff can keep )s safe fro& the&K All they gotta do is clai& itFs a case of national sec)rity.G GJo f)cking 1ayHG Bobby 1o)ld not consider it. After lighting their cigarettes.theyFll take hi& a1ay too.Bobby 1atched the fla&e fro& his yello1 Bic lighter for a &o&ent before he let it go o)t and p)t it back in his pocket. 'hey didnFt belie2e hi& at first.if the sheriff tries to gi2e the& tro)ble. G(eah.?Fll kill hi&. Jeither can yo)r fa&ily.G Bobby 1as referring to the se&i trailer they bro)ght o)t last night and tried to hide not &ore than a h)ndred yards fro&
. <onnie called &e. And they called the sheriff by no1.G G?f ? e2er see that d)&b f)ck again.G G'hen the sheriff 1as )sing that story for a co2er-G Bobby concl)ded.and Ce2in )sed to think he 1asnFt afraid of anybody.1e 1o)ldnFt be here no1.had been riding in the cab of the tr)ck that night.G G#2en if 1e say they did itKG G=ell.1eF2e been o2er this a h)ndred ti&es.G GAhatFd he sayKG G=e+s dory he let it slip.G Ce2in started to ask.b)t he had been afraid of those soldiers.said he co)ldnFt belie2e 1e 1ere still ali2e. G=e 1o)ldnFt tell the& 1ho did it.b)t he did say 1e kno1 1ho it 1as.conte&plating their dile&&a. GDook. And that <oss g)y is big brass fro& =o&eland Sec)rity.G GShitH Ahat the hell+d he do that forKG G=e said it popped o)t before he realiEed it.G Ϟ GShit.yo) sa1 ho1 they treated yo)r )ncle.G Bobby flicked his cigarette b)tt off the r)sty side of the deli2ery tr)ck.so he told the& all abo)t it. 'hen ? h)ng )p and called Ste1.

G G? a& gro1n )p. G'he potato salad is fro& yesterday.G Ahether intentional or not.b)t she 1as thirty-one years old.G She set the glasses in front of the boys.she took t1o glasses fro& the c)pboard and filled the& fro& a pitcher on the co)nter. 'hey co)ld hear *ichael.dressed &ore &odestly in a light cotton floral print dress.Bobby e&phasiEed his 1ords by looking DiEa Do) )p and do1n as she stood at the sink 1ith her back to the&. DiEa Do) rolled her eyes. =)gging her 1as like h)gging a fl)ffy pillo1 1ar& 1ith lo2e. GDetFs see-G Diane tried to re&e&ber.& Chicken Dinner 'hey 1ent in thro)gh the back door and fo)nd Diane and DiEa Do) in the kitchencleaning )p after dinner.+id you have to e&& him on. DiEa Do) stepped o2er to clear a1ay the rest of the dishes left by the &en folk.*aFa&.G >)st the opposite of her &other.t)rned to face hi&. 'hey nodded to her. GJot M)ite.G Diane )shered the& to the table.gi2ing her a look that said. She &ight be good looking. GAhy donFt yo) p)t yo)r eyes back in yo)r head. Diane Ioined DiEa Do) at the sink.G G? forgot-G DiEa Do) set a s)gar bo1l in front of hi&. Ce2in 1as e&barrassed that Bobby Ϟ 1as checking o)t his a)nt. G=ello.itFs )ns1eetened.to the point of being anore$ic. DiEa Do).Gyo) kids like plenty of s)gar in yo)r tea. Aitho)t another 1ord.DiEa 1as thin as a bean pole.G Both boys realiEed ho1 h)ngry they 1ere.donFt yo).c)E yo) ainFt ne2er gonna be gro1n )p eno)gh for the likes of &e. And if the po1er doesnFt co&e back on1eFre gonna ha2e to eat it all or thro1 it o)t.Q DiEa Do) stepped o2er to his side 1ith her hands on her hips. =ea2en help the girls 1hen yo) gro1 )p. G#2eninF.ignored BobbyFs beha2ior.<andy and >)ne playing else1here in the ho)se.honey-G she chided 1ith a hint of playf)lness.%.G She dis&issed hi&.they d)g into the food. Diane. G@randpa sent )s in here for so&e barbeM)ed chicken-G Ce2in said. 'he 1o&en s&iled at each other as if to say/ boys and
. GBlah. %rossing the kitchen. Bobby gri&aced.b)t then it ainFt hot either.Gyo) like 1hite &eat.b)t itFs still good.yo) are incorrigible. GBobby.1e &ade eno)gh of it. Ce2in glared at hi&. GDord kno1s.Gnot M)ite.legsKG G?F& a leg &an.boys-G Diane ga2e Ce2in a h)g. G(o) best stick to the girls.G G? can sho1 yo) ho1 gro1n )p ? a&-G Bobby offered. ?t ainFt iced.G Bobby 1as abo)t to &ake so&e retort 1hen Diane sat big plates in front of the&piled )p 1ith chicken.dark &eat. GSit do1n.boys.feeling BobbyFs gaEe.G GAhat abo)t yo).dressed in shorts and a tank top. G=ereFs so&e tea.potato salad and cole sla1. She 1as a 2ery big 1o&an.&yself.Ce2inKG G(es.BobbyK (o) like 1hite &eat.G An oil lantern on the co)nter and another on the table helped break )p the di& green pall.G 'he boys took the glasses and drank.

GAhyFd they ha2e to bring that thing o2er here in the first placeK 'hey co)ld ha2e Ϟ taken care of it at SBC. G?t 1as a payback beca)se Stelling 1o)ldnFt bring the& any &ore ship&ents.like yo) &ight see in a p)ddle that has a thin fil& of oil o2er it. After another &in)te. ?tFd be better if 1e all got the hell o)t. GAll those people. 'he boys traded a M)ick look and then &ade the&sel2es go on eating.? e$pect the sheriff to sho1 )p 1ith state troopers.DiEa Do) tried to address her fears 1itho)t saying too &)ch.and 1eFre 1ell-ar&ed.and there 1as a faintrainbo1 sheen to it.their food all b)t forgotten. 'hereFs so&ethinF e2il goinF on o)t at that base.G GSo instead he sho1s )p here. 'he s)n.1as approaching the horiEon. G#2ery &in)te.)nable to stop herself.G GAnd 1hat abo)t the& other ship&entsK Ahat 1ere they doinF 1ith the& peopleK <ay kno1s.1hich ser2ed to e&phasiEe the reality of their sit)ation.tho)gh their appetites 1ere &)ch &ore s)bd)ed. Presently.G DiEa Do) 1ent on.G GDiEa Do).G 'he boys stopped eating 1ith their forks half1ay to their &o)ths.1hat if 1eFre ne$tKG 'hey 1ere froEen in that position for one eternal &o&ent. G#2en a sky filled 1ith clo)ds. B)t ? I)st donFt feel safe.also froEen 1ith their heads h)ng do1n.GPo1H Po1H Po1HG
. Dea2e old &an Stelling and the J)points to deal 1ith the&.men are much the same.at.G DiEa Do) spoke 1itho)t thinking.G 'hey 1ere M)iet for a &o&ent.in case so&eone like the sheriff ca&e snooping aro)nd. Diane n)dged her da)ghter.the& others fro& the base. *ichael and <andy leapt o)t of the door1ay leading to the rest of the ho)se.fro1ning and p)rsing her lips to &o)th shhh as she glanced at the boys.no &ore than a lighter patch in the orange and pea green sky. All fo)r 1ere holding their breath. 'hey raked the kitchen 1ith toy &achine g)ns that &ade a lo)d ratcheting so)nd/ at.G G'hey didnFt 1ant it on the property.G She p)lled her 1rist loose of her &otherFs grasp.b)t he 1onFt talk abo)t it. 'he only noise 1as that of the &en 1orking o)t back. 'hen they set to 1ork 1ashing dishes.co&e g)nninF for )sHG GDiEa Do)HG Diane grabbed her da)ghterFs 1rist.the sky took on a deeper cast. G? still canFt belie2e 1hat <ay said.thatFs )gly-G DiEa Do) co&&ented.at.gaEing o)t the back 1indo1 as they did so. G? ne2er kne1 ho1 &)ch ? 1o)ld &iss a bl)e sky-G Diane agreed. She locked eyes 1ith her &other.like the &en 1ere po)nding on big &etal dr)&s.G =er &o& ca)tioned her. G'hank @od 1e got the &en here. Or 1orse yet.at. GAe been 1alkinF on pins and needles since they parked that thing o)t back. Jone of the& noticed ho1 M)iet it had gotten in the ho)se. As it did so.sho)ting. 'he boys sat at the table. =er 2oice 1as M)iet b)t stern. G@od. G*o&&a. atH Dittle >)ne follo1ed the& 1ith her hand held like a g)n.1ashing dishes as the boys ate.they heard banging noises fro& the back yard.G 'he boys listened.

scattering &ost of the st)ff on it onto the floor and the co)ch. GShe 1as 1orried abo)t yo).G G? 1ish e2eryone 1o)ld I)st lea2e &e aloneHG Ce2in sto&ped do1n the hall and into his roo&.
. GAhatFs 1rongKG As she &assaged the back of his neck. A pair of sandals sat at the foot of her chair.G GBobby Deering+s gonna get yo) in big tro)ble one of these days-G Allison opined.yo) had *o&&a pretty )pset. GDook at this &essH (o) better clean this )p before *o&&a gets ho&e. =e sat on his bed and f)&ed.tho)gh she did not ha2e as &)ch to boast of as her sister.1hile Allison tended to dra1 &ore attention.dressed )p and looking like 1ilted flo1ers in the heat. GAe 1as 1onderinF if yo)Fd sho1 )p before 1e left-G Allison said as Ce2in cli&bed the porch steps.incl)ding the ashtray f)ll of cigarette b)tts and ashes. She kne1 ho1 to press his b)ttons. 'he door bo)nced back open and al&ost hit hi&.-G Ce2in al&ost told her abo)t 1hat he had seen. 'he neckline of the dress 1as c)t lo1 to sho1 off her clea2age. Ce2in had al1ays liked her better than Allison and. =e co)ld hear his sisters in the li2ing roo&.he tho)ght <honda 1as the &ore attracti2e of the t1o.G Ϟ <honda sidestepped the M)estion of g)ilt or innocence.Ce2in fo)ght 1ith hi&self. GBobby and &e ainFt done nothin+ 1rongHG GS)re yo) ha2enFt. <honda 1ore a red dress of so&e sheer.G G?tFs I)stP. =er nipples stood o)t thro)gh the &aterialand her breasts Iiggled as she sat )p. GAhatFs eatinF yo)K ?F& beginning to think yo) did get into tro)ble. GCe2in.sla&&ing the door. =e sla&&ed it again.clinging fabric that h)gged tight to her body and left 2ery little to the i&agination. GAell. She had on red lipstick that &atched her dress. 'he sheriff I)st 1anted to talk to &e.so hard the 1alls shook and the door fra&e Iarred loose fro& the 1all. =e dre1 in his breath and opened his &o)th to tell her 1hen Allison ca&e inside. Seeing the &ess he &ade only ca)sed hi& to feel 1orse.G G'hen yo) sho)ldnFt be hangin+ ro)nd 1ith Bobby-G Allison sang o)t fro& the porch. GP? donFt like bein+ acc)sed of so&ething ? didnFt do.%/& 5nwelcome 8uests <honda and Allison 1ere sitting on the front porch.G <honda reached o)t to hi&.G? think baby brotherFs going to cryHG GDa&&itHG Ce2in kicked the coffee table.sla&&ing the screen door behind hi&. She sat back in a 1hite porch chair 1ith her skirt hiked )p I)st belo1 her thighs and her bare feet propped on the porch rail. G(o) t1o had her in tears earlierHG Ce2in stor&ed into the trailer. She held herself I)st a little &ore lady-like than her sister. (o) in tro)ble 1ith the policeKG GJo. G*o&&aFs gone to a ch)rch &eeting-G <honda told hi&. She 1ore a s)&&er dress 1ith a red and 1hite print. <honda follo1ed hi& in.G Allison 2oiced her do)bt. GSh)t )pHG GOh-G she called back.

'hat e$plained 1hy their &other 1as crying earlier. 'here 1as a terrible ache in his heart at the tho)ght of lea2ing. Allison said.hopeless and forlorn.and she kne1 ho1 to set hi& off. G@ood e2ening. Presently. GCe2in. =e kne1 he had to pack and 1rite his &o& a note.b)t he hated to see <honda go. 'he screen door opened and closed. She stopped short. G(o) 1anna talkKG G@o a1ayHG GCe2inKG She tried one last ti&e.the floor in the hall1ay creaked and <honda spoke to hi& thro)gh the door.ladies. =e began to fret abo)t her.this 2ery night.G GAell.e2ery &o&ent he stayed here ga2e the sheriff another chance to catch )p 1ith hi&.Ce2in co)ld hear his sister gr)&bling on the porch.not to &ention those others. ?f Ste1 had I)st kept his &o)th sh)t.e2erything &ight ha2e been alright.b)t it 1as ho&e. O)r dates sho)ld be here soon. 'he so)nd of a car p)lling )p and car doors opening and sh)tting bro)ght hi& back to the &o&ent like an alar& clock.G?Fll be glad to get o)t of this place.1ondering 1hy he had blo1n )p.b)t he co)ld not &o2e.yo) alrightKG =e didnFt ans1er.? ainFt gonna clean this &ess )pHG G?Fll do it. ?t 1as I)st that he 1as on edge.G GFine.his sisters 1ere &o2ing o)t. =e co)ld not say he 1as sad to see Allison lea2e. %an yo) try to keep the peace till 1e lea2eKG So. GDet hi& be. She 1o)ld be so )pset after he ran a1ay.fears and indecision.G 'he screen door opened and sla&&ed. On the porch.b)t he co)ld not lea2e his &other alone like that. Dost in his tho)ghts. (et. 'his trailer 1as not &)ch. =e co)ld not stay here.Allison 1as going on abo)t the apart&ent they 1o)ld get in Phoeni$.GAhat the hellFs 1rong 1ith hi&KG Allison asked. GDea2e &e aloneHG GOkay.or the noise of the neighborhood. ? co)ldnFt take any &ore of hi&Ϟ or herHG GAeFll be gone in a fe1 days.G 'he floor in the hall creaked again as <honda 1alked back thro)gh the trailer. Aait a &in)te0 he 1o)ld be gone any1ay.he sat on the bed. ?t occ)rred to hi& they 1ere going to lea2e their &other all alone here.G ?t 1as a &anFs 2oice.
. ?nstead. =e o)ght to 1rite her a note. not really. G? canFt 1ait to get a1ay fro& that f)ckin+ bratHG =e sat on the bed. =e 1as not &ad at his sistersnot e2en at Allison .Q G(o) and *o& are al1ays coddling that bratH ?tFs no 1onder he gets in tro)ble/ he ne2er s)ffers the conseM)encesHG G@o o)tside and cool off.and all the fine things they 1o)ld b)y 1ith the &oney fro& their ne1 Iobs.Ce2in stopped paying attention to his sistersF con2ersation.reass)ring her that he 1o)ld be alright and he 1o)ld co&e back so&e day. After a fe1 &in)tes. ?f he disappeared it 1o)ld break her heart. =e heard a chair sc)ff on the 1ooden porch. She started to1ard the hall1ayb)t <honda ca)ght her ar&.

G(o) see&ed 1illing eno)gh at the ti&e.
. GAeFre =o&eland Sec)rity officers. =e fo)nd an old piece of cardboard and propped it against the a$le so he co)ld hide behind it.listening to the con2ersation o)tside.1here a piece of skirting 1as &issing. GAell.he thre1 it open.G A second &an spoke )p. GAe 1erenFt e$pecting to see yo) this e2ening. ?n his roo&.G 'he sardonic partner sa2ored his 1ords in a &anner that &ade it ob2io)s they intended to do &ore than talk.G One of the &en spoke 1ith cold a&)se&ent. For&al 1ent on.G 'here 1as a slight note of apprehension in <hondaFs 2oice. =e recogniEed those 2oices .G G'hen 1hatFre yo) doinF hereKG Allison asked.G *r. 'rying to be M)iet. *r. For&al said. GAhat abo)tKG Ϟ things they sho)ldn+t ha2e-G *r.G?f those other gentle&en are fro& the base. =e co)ld hear so&eone r)nning thro)gh the trailer. For&al G=e and so&e of his b)ddies sa1 so&e infor&ed the&. 'here 1ere no steps at the back door. =e la)nched hi&self o)t of his bedroo& and across the hall to the back door. For&al e$plained.Ce2in backed into his door as he fo)ght off the panic.e2en a trace of fear. G*y donFt yo) ladies look bea)tif)l tonight. G?F& real sorry to hear that. GAe need to talk to yo)r brother.and this is a &atter of national sec)rity.G1e can arrest yo) for aiding a terrorist.he cra1led )nderneath the trailer and 1orked his 1ay back behind one of the a$les.G GBy la1-G *r. or at least the sardonic one. 'here 1as no 1ay he co)ld escape the& in this trailer park. 'he base is sealed off. 'hey had taken part in the &assacre. Sardonic ch)ckled. For&al 1ent do1n 1ith a groan.G *r. =is heart skipped a beat and he backed a1ay fro& the 1indo1.?+& afraid they 1onFt be able to &ake it.G G<)n.G GAnd if yo) try to get in o)r 1ay-G *r. GJot )s. G(o) ainFt 1elco&e here after 1hat yo) did to &y sisterHG Allison stated.G Allison anno)nced.1eFd like to look for o)rsel2es.G G(o) 1o)ldnFt kno1 a 1illing 1o&an if yo) had oneHG <honda chastised hi&. Sardonic enIoyed thro1ing his 1eight aro)nd. Unlocking the door.and there are no )na)thoriEed phone calls. GCe2inHG <honda beca&e protecti2e. GCe2in isnFt hereHG Allison asserted. GAe+re e$pecting so&e real gentle&en to sho1 )p any &in)te.G1e donFt need a 1arrant. Ce2in sprang into action.for&al and b)siness-like.Ce2inHG Allison sho)ted as she kicked *r. G(o) t1o can lea2e no1.Ce2in h)rried o2er to his 1indo1. =e ran to the back of the trailer.G 'he other &an spoke. Sardonic gloated. G'hen yo)Fll ha2e to get a 1arrant-G <honda told hi&. =e had to hide.G *r. G=o&eland sec)rity b)siness-G his sardonic partner added. All passes ha2e been rescinded. GJo1 1e need to talk to the&. For&al in the balls. All he co)ld see 1as the edge of the porch and the front corner of a =)&2ee. =e 1as s)re these &en 1ere there that night. =e leapt o)t of the trailer. GAeFre here on b)siness-G *r.

Sardonic p)lled a g)n o)t of a sho)lder holster and p)shed his 1ay past the girls to enter the trailer. For&al 1as reco2ering.she t1isted the ankle of the foot she &anaged to get shoed. Allison follo1ed )p 1ith another blo1 to the te&ple.she snatched )p the hea2y glass ashtray fro& the coffee table and 1inged it at the officer like a Frisbee.G Ϟ <honda kicked the agentFs handg)n o)t )nder the =)&2ee. GDetFs get the f)ck o)tta hereHG She started r)nning. GO1HG She grabbed the end of the railing to hold herself )p. G%an yo) help &eK ? donFt kno1 1hy ? p)t the f)cking thing on.L On the front porch. <honda 1as at her side in a flash. She 1o)ld rather die than ha2e :incent <iker lay his hands on her again.G 'he agent on the steps 1as beginning to stir. ?f they co)ld I)st &ake it to their grandparentsF ho)se. She 1as cro)ching by the rail 1ith one thick-heeled sandal on and the other in her hand. G%an yo) r)nKG ODe&&e get this sandal off.e$pecting the other agent.1hich broke the strap on the sandal. <honda kept glancing fro& the sandal to the agent cr)&pled on the steps. 'he agent t)&bled do1n the steps.spilling his handg)n o)t of its holster as he fell.s&acked *r. GAe gotta get o)t of hereHG <honda 1as looking )p at the front door.b)t 1as soon hobbling as fast as she co)ld go. ?t see&ed to take an eternity for her to )nfasten the strap and slip the sandal off her sisterFs foot.G Allison cl)ng to the rail.Allison let go of the rail and p)t 1eight on her foot. She had to hop o2er the agent lying on the botto& steps. GDook o)tHG <honda cried. ?n doing so. Dying on the steps. %onsidering 1hat she and Allison had already done.b)t ?Fll &anage. =e reached into the sho)lder of his Iacket. <honda hoped Ce2in had gotten a1ay. For&al on the side of the head. Allison sp)n aro)nd and. Aith the sandal off.G She gritted her teeth as <honda knelt beside her and took the sandal off her foot. Bet1een the t1o of the&. <honda ca&e to her side and p)t AllisonFs ar& aro)nd her sho)lder. She tried to be gentle. <honda looked aro)nd for help.:incent <iker. 'he agent had not &o2ed yet. <honda follo1ed hi& inside. GAre yo) s)re yo) can r)nKG G?t h)rts like a son-of-a-bitch.they st)&bled along at a pace that &ight ha2e 1on a three-legged race. 'hinking fast. Allison tossed the )seless sandal after hi&. Allison 1as p)lling on her sandals as <honda ca&e back o)t onto the porch. ?t clocked hi& in the back of the head as he 1as r)nning thro)gh the hall1ay to1ard the back door.b)t she 1as too ner2o)s and in too &)ch of a h)rry.s1inging the sandal by its strap.and do1n he 1ent.
. She fo)ght 1ith the strap1incing.the sadistic one. #2eryone &)st ha2e r)n for co2er at the first scent of tro)ble.and then ran do1n the steps. =e started to go do1n b)t ca)ght hi&self on the rail. 'here 1as little &ore she co)ld do to aid hi&.*r. <honda 1as beginning to do)bt they 1o)ld &ake it before the agents ca)ght )p 1ith the&.they had better get o)t of here the&sel2es.noticing the street 1as no1 M)iet and e&pty.to appear in the door1ay any &o&ent. G(o) okayKG G(eah. 'he *c%ready ho&e see&ed &iles a1ay.1incing.*r.

and Vach checked to &ake s)re it 1as loaded.and they &ean b)siness.G G?t 1as b)llshit. 'he other &en 1ere already going to fetch their g)ns. B)tch passed Vach his !0. G@et &e &y !0.astonished at the scene before the&.G
. Diane and DiEa Do) ca&e into the <ay sat Allison in a chair at the kitchen kitchen.Vach said.Diane told Allison. GAhatFs goin+ onKG DiEa Do) asked.G Allison took the ice pack fro& her grand&other and held it on her ankle.GDetFs see 1hat these agents 1ant. As the &en gathered aro)nd. G'hey ca&e for Ce2in.G Allison said.B)tch looked at the trailer behind the&e$pecting to see the agents in hot p)rs)it. She 1as already feeling better.1rapped it in a dishto1el and applied it to the ankle. G'hey said he and Bobby sa1 so&e kinda top secret proIect. 'hat sick &otherf)cker. G? donFt kno1 1here he 1ent.She co)ld al&ost feel the pain of the lashings and the assa)lt.G As he took Allison fro& <honda. G=o&eland Sec)rity ca&e to the trailer lookinF for Ce2in. GAhat happenedKG =e sho)ted before he reached the&.1hich 1as s1ollen. G=e took off o)t the back door-G <honda infor&ed the&. GB)tch and >eff. GAhereFs Ce2inKG Vach asked as his sons filed back into the roo&. G'hey got g)ns.all ar&ed.G Vach nodded. G=o&eland Sec)rityHG <honda &anaged to say bet1een sobs.G <honda told the&. Jobody gets in b)t )s.she sa1 their )ncle B)tch r)nning to1ard the&. <honda 1as close beside hi&.)ntil they reached the spot 1here the rest of the *c%ready &en 1ere dis&antling the se&i trailer. B)tch s1ept her )p and she h)gged hi& aro)nd the neck. =er grand&other fetched so&e ice fro& the tha1ing freeEer. GAe got tro)ble at DorraineFs-G Vach told the&.yo) stay here and g)ard the ho)se.lying on her sto&ach as <iker 1hipped her 1ith a coat hanger and raped her anally. 'o his other t1o boys.06-G Vach told B)tch. Said they had to take Ce2in in for national sec)rity. %r)el &e&ories played thro)gh her head of herself tied and gagged in a &otel bed. Diane 1as tending to AllisonFs ankle.G After the older &en folk left.GAeFd better 1rap this ankle.<honda and Allison related their tale. GDetFs get off the road.06.G =is yo)ngest sons nodded.G <honda told the&. Up ahead like so&e &irage of sal2ation.G G'heyFre sickos. GAllison kicked one in the n)ts and ? beaned the other 1ith an ashtray. Vach called o)t as they entered the kitchenGDianeH DiEaHG Ϟ table. <ay carried Allison to the ho)se. 'hey c)t bet1een a co)ple trailers and along the side of the I)nkyard. GDetFs get )p to the ho)se and fetch o)r g)ns-G Vach said 1ith &ean intent. 'he &en had seen t1o =)&2ees enter the trailer park and B)tch had gone to find o)t 1hat 1as )p.G B)tch Iogged 1ith Allison in his ar&s. GAhereFs Ce2inKG G=e took off-G Allison told hi&. 'here 1as no telling 1hat he 1o)ld do if he ca)ght the& no1.

G G*y cell phoneFs back at the trailer. G(o)Fre gonna ha2e to take it easy on that foot for a 1hile-G Diane co)nseled Allison.G And 1ith that.G @oing to the phone in the hall1ay.she said.Allison is h)rt and Ce2in is in big tro)ble.G G? 1ill tell yo)r &other after the &eeting.G 'o <honda.yo) 1ill be locked o)t of the Sal2ation =all.? canFt dist)rb her no1.1here they kept first-aid s)pplies.she h)ng )p. 'he <e2erend doesnFt 1ant )s to &ake any o)tside anno)nce&ents.the 1hole 1orld is ha2ing an e&ergency. G?tFs likely none of )s are gonna be lea2inF this ho)se for a 1hile.Q GAeFre s)pposed to start this 1eekend. 'he 1o&an 1as n)ts. So&eone ans1ered on the se2enth ring.G Det her callK <honda lost her te&per.G G(o)Fll ha2e to look it )p in the phone book-G Diane told her.G <honda tried to i&press her 1ith the i&portance of their crisis.G=e da&n 1ell betterHG G? ha2e to go no1.G G(o) kno1 the n)&ber at the ch)rchKG GJo.b)t if yo) donFt get the rest of yo)r fa&ily do1n here tonight.<honda passed DiEa Do). Ϟ G=ello-G <e2erend %hasseyFs 1ife %lara said in her high tre&)lo)s 2oice. <honda looked at the recei2er in her hand.Q G?Fll get the bandages.ret)rning 1ith an ace bandage.Q G'his is )rgent. GAll the sa&e.<honda-G %lara see&ed not to ha2e heard her last re&ark. *aybe the <e2erend 1ill let her call yo). G? 1o)ldnFt bother calling back beca)se ?F& t)rning the ringer off on this phone.G G%lara. G=oly <edee&er Pentecostal %h)rch. GSo&ething tells &e o)r &o2e has been postponed.1here she had 1atched the &en depart. <honda opened the dra1er in the table and p)lled o)t the local phone book.G G%lara.
.the <e2erend %hristopher %hassey presiding.G DiEa Do) headed for the linen closet by the do1nstairs bathroo&. 'he phone sat on a s&all table cl)ttered 1ith I)nk &ail. GB)t 1e got a dancing Iob in Phoeni$. She did not ha2e &)ch tro)ble finding the n)&ber for the =oly <edee&er Pentecostal %h)rch. 'he &eetingFs already beg)n. ? need to speak to &y &o&.Q G(o) ainFt gonna be dancinF for at least a 1eek.I)st as <honda 1as abo)t to hang )p. G=o&eland Sec)rity officers are here and the police 1ill probably be here any &in)te.G?tFs &)ch better-G Allison said.G G<honda.G Diane took this senti&ent one step f)rther.G? think yo) better call yo)r &other. G?tFs in the dra1er )nder the phone.this is <honda =o1ell. Ae ha2e an e&ergency hereHG G<honda.Q <honda spoke fro& the kitchen 1indo1.

right behind the Dord >es)s and <e2erend %hassey. GAell.and she co)ld no &ore resist than a bird co)ld resist the )rge to &igrate or a sal&on co)ld resist the )rge to s1i& )pstrea& and spa1n.G1eFll rest easier kno1ing this is taken care of.it looks like yo) sM)ared )p I)st in ti&e. She 1as doing this for her children.they 1ere disc)ssing the 1ork that re&ained to be done on the hall.b)t kne1 better.of co)rse.Dord.1hen the ti&e ca&e.she &arched straight to the table 1here #llie Sloan and *ercy 'ol2er 1ere seated and paid off the final install&ent on her berths in the Sal2ation =all. 'his i&portant 1ork &ade hi& the &an of the ho)r . She 1anted to ask 1hat that 1as all abo)t. 'he 1ord 1as he donated half of the b)ilding &aterials for the proIect. '1o or three ti&es on the 1ay here she al&ost t)rned aro)nd and 1ent back to ha2e it o)t 1ith her kids. OAt least e2eryone here kno1s 1hat a serio)s b)siness this is.ens)ring their sal2ation.Dord. B)d 1as in charge of the constr)ction of the Sal2ation =all.Dord %all on &e *y life it &eans nothing ? 1ait for yo)r blessing Dord.her children 1o)ld all be at her side.Dord. 'he congregation 1as ab)EE 1ith it. Jo one do)bted <e2erend %hassey 1o)ld anno)nce tonight the end ti&es 1ere at hand. =is store had s)pplied the b)ilding &aterials for the =all. Dorraine st)died her a &o&ent before lea2ing the table.Q #llie+s head dropped like that of a scolded child. *ercy 1as rather cross 1ith #llie.%1& Sal!ation Dord. B)d 1as talking to Do)g %orelli and >ohn =)&phrey as e2eryone else listened. Jo1 she I)st had to ha2e faith that. GSee&s like e2eryone 1ants to &ake s)re they are paid )p today-G #llie said as Dana =)&phrey stepped )p to the table and handed a check to *ercy. She co)ld breathe easier kno1ing her fa&ilyFs sal2ation 1as sec)red. *ost of the people in the o)ter hall 1ere cl)stered aro)nd B)d and >oanna %afrey.it does-G Dorraine agreed 1ith the feeling of &ild elation and self-pride. #2eryone co)ld Ϟ feel >es)sFs presence gro1ing palpable in the ch)rch.in e$change for berths right ne$t to <e2erend %hassey+s pri2ate roo&.G GJo do)bt-G *ercy told her as she confir&ed 1ith #llie the a&o)nt of the pay&ent and deposited the check in the cash bo$.Dord ? 1ait for thee Dord. 'he blessings of >es)s beckoned to her.Dord %all on &e 'ears of Ioy co)rsed do1n Dorraine+s cheeks as she Ioined in the hy&n. B)t this &eeting 1as too i&portant.G G(es. Al2in Pa)ling of Pa)lingFs =ard1are stood nearby. Dorraine 1atched 1ith satisfied interest as #llie located her entry in the ledger book and 1rote PA?D ?J FUDD after a long line of pay&ent entries.
. #llie flipped thro)gh the ledger book to find the entries for Dana and >ohn =)&phrey. Dog 1orship indeed. And that ti&e 1as dra1ing nigh. Ahat 1as happening to the sky 1as an o&en signaling the apocalypse. GAith this sky-G Dana said. Ahen she arri2ed at the ch)rch. Jo do)bt.

For that reason.
. 'hey both ran aro)nd 1ith Bobby Deering and <onnie Barkell. As these tho)ghts passed thro)gh her &ind.G%ecilia needs ne1 glasses. And they bro)ght the& o)t handc)ffed behind their backs. Ahate2er the girls had done. G*aybe <)ssia or %hina didnFt 1ant )s controlling the 1eather.or the %hinese or the <)ssians. G%al and >)lia *arksKG =elen fo)nd the idea prepostero)s. G'he poor dear 1as badly frightened by 1hat she sa1. %lara 1as locking )p the cash bo$ as Dorraine approached. ? think 1hate2er they did ca)sed the e$peri&ent to go 1rong and that is 1hat happened to the sky. =o1 to bring her children to safetyK Dorraine 1as ready to beg the& on her knees.JoraHG GAell ? belie2e her-G Jora defended her friend.G GB)t 1hyKG =elen had to 1onder. G? canFt see %al *arks 1orking 1ith *osle& terrorists. Or &aybe it 1as Al .G =elen at last fo)nd so&e footing fro& 1hich to disp)te Jora. the <e2erendFs 1ife .G Dorraine 1as tro)bled by the report.the only 1ay she co)ld help the& no1 1as to ens)re their sal2ation. She said they 1ent into that ho)se 1ith g)ns in hand like they 1ere stor&ing a battlefield.Ggi2ing her fits again.G? co)ld see hi& 1orking G#co-terroristsHG Jora had not considered this possibility. GAhat is going onKG G(o) kno1 1hat ? think.G GJoHG Jora gasped in a scandaliEed b)t delighted tone.hello Dorraine. GJeither of the& e2en 1orks on the base. G%laraKG GAhy.aeda.and so&eho1 the *arks 1ere in2ol2ed in it. 'hen they sho2ed %al and >)lia into the back of one =)&2ee and the boys into anotherand they took off.it 1as all the &ore i&portant to &ake s)re Ce2in 1as in his berth in the Sal2ation =all 1hen the I)dg&ent ti&e ca&e .G G?t &)st be those kids of hers-G =elen g)essed. >enny %lark told &e those girls 1ere o2er at the DaEy S p)tting on a sho1 for all the &en.e2en >)lia and the boys. *aybe he had seen or o2erheard so&ething at Ste1artFs ho)se.? ha2e to talk to %lara.G her o1n hypothesis.G Jora seiEed the ad2antage this piece of gossip ga2e her. Ce2in 1as a close friend of Ste1art *arks.G As she left the&. B)t-G she offered Ϟ 1ith eco-terrorists. talking to #llie and *ercy. Or ha2e so&e of the &en bring the& in by force. =onestly.Dorraine spotted %lara %hassey . 'hey knocked hi& aro)nd 1hile his &other cried and his father c)rsed the& for beating )p on the boys.G %lara 1arbled in her shaky soprano 2oice as she looked )p fro& the table. Better the brethren of the =oly <edee&er than =o&eland Sec)rity. GAhatFs 1rong 1ith herK She isnFt at all herself. Ahat on #arth 1o)ld =o&eland Sec)rity 1ant 1ith the *arksFKG G*aybe they had so&ething to do 1ith the sabotage-G Jora spec)lated. not to &ention the girls. Ste1art tried to fight 1ith the&. Dorraine feared Ce2in 1as so&eho1 in2ol2ed in this &ess 1ith Ste1art *arks. 'he terrorists &ight be after hi&.she heard Jora speak to =elen in a half-1hisper. G? think there 1as a conspiracy to sabotage that at&osphere e$peri&ent. Dorraine 1anted to hear 1hat =elen 1as saying b)t she had to talk to %lara. G#$c)se &e.

DonFt yo) ha2e faith in >es)sKG G(esHG As she &ade this affir&ation. ? kno1 the &eeting is abo)t to start. ? bo)ght the& berths.Fran %orelli took her place at the organ.G?t is ti&e for the &eeting to co&&ence. %lara handed Dorraine o2er to *ercy 'ol2er. And. =e cannot be dist)rbed.singing of sal2ation and the delights of hea2en 1ith an intensity and a de2otion that. G%an yo) see that she has a good seat. G(o)F2e I)st got to ha2e faith.G By no1.straight fro& >es)s.the congregation broke fro& song into t)&)lt)o)s 1a2es of lo2e and ad)lation that crashed
. >es)s is going to look after e2eryone 1ho has a berth in the Sal2ation =all.dearHG %lara stepped closer to co&fort Dorraine. GAhy of co)rse they 1ill-G %lara told her in that s&all 2oice as she patted her back.leading the congregation in hy&ns )ntil the <e2erend stepped )p to the podi)&. 'o the rest of the congregation. Once in the &eeting hall. ? co)ldnFt get the& to &eeting tonight. #2eryone 1ho has a berth 1ill be escorted to the =all by angels.1hile perhaps not &aking )p for their poor singing 2oices. She 1as eager to co)nt )p the f)nds in the cashbo$.G GOh dear.%lara spoke to her entire a)dience. Jo1 yo) &)st ha2e faith. Dorraine sang her heart o)t 1ith the rest of the congregation.G%lara.at least ser2ed to e$c)se the&.bea&ing 1ith the lo2e of >es)s. =elen and Jora sat on either side of her.and ?F& afraid they+re getting into so &)ch tro)ble.filled to b)rsting 1ith Ioyo)s rapt)re. 'he entire congregation ascended on the rhyth& of gospel hy&ns.G %lara placed a hand on the ledger book.e2eryone 1as listening.the kno1ledge of their i&&inent sal2ation s)rging thro)gh the& in blessed paro$ys&s of holy fer2or. G?tFs going to be alright. G'hat a girl.G *ercy led Dorraine into the &eeting hall.G G? see that. 'he <e2erend told &e >es)s is preparing to ro)nd )p his errant sheep. Ahile her 1ords 1ere for Dorraine. G%ongrat)lations.G G'hey 1illKG Dorraine 1anted to belie2e.%lara anno)nced.G G'he <e2erend is co&&)ning 1ith >es)s right no1.? need to talk to the <e2erend.dearie.%lara took the ledger and cashbo$ and headed thro)gh a side door. G>es)s 1o)ld ne2er let a single &e&ber of his chosen flock go astray.Ghe 1ill.G G(es-G Dorraine agreed.Dorraine felt all of her 1orries and do)bts fall a1ay.b)t it is 2ery i&portant. 'hey donFt )nderstand.G %lara s&iled as Dorraine began to 1eep for Ioy.as al1ays.G Ϟ 'here 1ere a fe1 cries of F=allel)iahF and FA&enF fro& the congregation. G?F& 1orried abo)t &y kids. As he 1alked do1n the isle bea&ing 1ith righteo)s 2igor and 2itality. (o)F2e paid off yo)r berths I)st in ti&e. G(o)F2e done yo)r part by paying for their berths. 'he <e2erend has so&e 2ery i&portant 1ords for )s. 'heir hearts soared o2er blaEing clo)ds of glory.G >)st the tho)ght of >es)sFs presence in the b)ilding ga2e her hope.G As e2eryone filed into the &eeting hall.<e2erend %hassey ti&ed his entrance to the e$act &o&ent 1hen their de2otions reached the )ns)stainable heights of ecstasy.G GB)t ?F& 1orried they 1onFt co&e to the Sal2ation =all )ntil itFs too late.

speaking in tong)es as she did so. >ohn and Dana settled her into her seat. People cried o)t as he passed.only to open again by the hand of %hrist hi&self. B)t there is little ti&e left.see&ing to address the& each at so&e personal le2el 1hile deli2ering the for&al instr)ctions of a higher a)thority. Ahen at last he spoke. By da1n to&orro1. G>es)s told &e his father has been 1atching o)r 1ork here. Ae 1ill not accept dollars. G*y children-G he began.a beacon to the& all .I)dging the& se2erely.the <e2erend gaEed at se2eral &e&bers of the congregation.yo) 1ill be sa2ed.*ercy 'ol2er began to t1itch and spas&.G 'he <e2erend pointed to the doors as his 2oice took on an o&ino)s tone. GOnly those 1ho ha2e f)lly sec)red their berths 1ill be allo1ed into the =all. Dooking o)t o2er the congregation. 'he <e2erend pa)sed before her and to)ched her on the forehead 1ith the inde$ and &iddle finger of his right hand.G 'here 1ere fearf)l cries fro& the )nsec)red a&ong the&.he s&iled and 1a2ed for silence.angels 1ill 1atch o2er yo) and g)ide yo) to the =all.G =is 2oice beco&ing stern.1ho has ass)red &e that the ho)r of his ret)rn is at hand.he did so in his &ost co&&anding yet &elodio)s 2oice. 'hose 1ho ha2e not &)st ret)rn to that @od-forsaken 1orld. G>es)s 1ill be 1ith )s to&orro1-G the <e2erend ass)red the&. <e2erend %hassey looked o2er the faces of those asse&bled before hi& as they 1aited 1ith bated breath.G 'his anno)nce&ent 1as p)nct)ated 1ith &any gasps fro& the a)dience. Once the p)rification begins.G 'here 1ere se2eral cries of =allel)Iah fro& the asse&bly. Ae &)st finish tonight. Once yo) ha2e yo)r pay&ent.Ie1elry.into the aisle and threatened to dro1n the& all. (o) &)st co&e to the Sal2ation =all 1ith 1hate2er yo) o1e for yo)r berth. G'he 1orld o)tside is already tainted by the &ark of the beast. ?f yo) can do this before the p)rification begins.G
. the 2essel of their sal2ation. Jo1 it is for )s to prepare. G? ha2e been gi2en a 2ery i&portant &essage to pass alongHG 'he congregation M)ieted.*ercy collapsed into >ohn =)&phreyFs ar&s. (o) can pay in gold.calling G<e2erendHG GSa2e )sHG GPraise the DordHG and e2en a GS1eet light of >es)sHG #2eryone 1as 1eeping.1here she slo1ly re2i2ed. GJoHG and G=a2e &ercyHG G'here yo) 1ill ha2e one last chance to sec)re yo)r place in the boso& of >es)s.the doors 1ill be barred.and he is pleased 1ith the Sal2ation =all.attenti2e to the &essage sent do1n to the& fro& on high.GI)st as soon as his hea2enly father I)dges 1e are ready.all 1ho ha2e berths &)st be inside and the doors &)st be locked . ?t is ti&e for )s to part fro& that 1orld before 1e are hopelessly defiled by its e2il. As he approached her. 'his 1ork can only be done by the chosen fe1/ those 1ho f)lly sec)red their berths in the =all.e2en the &en. 'hose 1ho ha2e sec)red berths &)st seek sanct)ary 1ithin those hallo1ed 1alls. (et <e2erend %hassey strode o2er the s)rface of that t)rb)lent s)rf. not to open again )ntil >es)s is ready to lead )s forth into a 1orld Ϟ cleansed and p)rified of sin.A&eros.G? ha2e I)st held an inti&ate conference 1ith >es)s %hrist hi&self. At his to)ch.#)ros or ()ans. 'he <e2erend &o)nted the p)lpit as the cheers and appla)se crescendoed. Ae &)st &ake haste to finish the Sal2ation =all and to see that it is properly anointed.

Ahen he spoke again.and cast do1n into the deepest depths of =ellHG 'he entire congregation blanched 1ith fear. A&en.and in the kno1ledge that 1hen those doors open again.1here there is still &)ch to be done. 'he <e2erend reigned in his anger.G Sho)ts of GA&enG er)pted fro& the congregation.it 1as 1ith co&passion and a hint of sadness. Ae h)&bly thank yo) for offering )s this chance of sal2ation.G <e2erend %hassey left the podi)& and strode )p the aisle. =)rry back I)st as soon as yo) ha2e the re&ainder of yo)r balance. G'he p)rification 1ill begin 1ith &adness and destr)ction as the fo)r horse&en s1eep o2er the 1orld. #2en if they sho)ld po)nd at o)r doors.let )s pray. G>es)s said to 1atch the sky-G the <e2erend ans1ered.they open onto the eternal kingdo& of =ea2en.spittle flying fro& his lips.G #2eryone bo1ed their heads. Jo1. 'hey are already dead to )s. GAasnFt the <e2erend &agnificentKG Jora Dorset co&&ented as she follo1ed Dorraine into the aisle.G Dorraine cried as this beacon of hope shone o)t to g)ide her children to harbor. Dorraine 1ept 1ith the&.G=o1 1ill 1e kno1KG Bert *etE called o)t. Ae &)st co&fort each other thro)gh the dark days ahead. 'he p)rification 1ill break all ties. And to sec)re their berths are already chosen in the eyes of the Dord.begging for o)r help. O)r only fa&ily no1 is >es)s and the other chosen.for those 1ho 1o)ld be lost and for her o1n sal2ation.>es)s %hrist.b)ilt by hands g)ided by yo)r inspiration.bringing da&nation to all those lost so)ls.Gand yo) 1ill kno1 1hen it is too late.tho)gh it &ay break o)r hearts. GCno1-G the <e2erend co&&anded. 'hank yo) for 1atching o2er )s. A hea2y set &an 1ho 1orked as a c)stodian on the base.
. ? a& s)re 1e ha2e tried to a1aken those recalcitrant &e&bers of o)r fa&ilies.he 1as no1 pale and shaky.=elen and Jora 1ere 1eeping. 'he Sal2ation =all 1ill be co&pleted this 2ery night.Gthe chosen 1ill be ad&itted to the Sal2ation =all. GDear @od.G A fe1 people began to stir. As for the rest of yo). GJo1-G the <e2erend concl)ded.1e &)st let the& go. GAll 1ho are chosen 1ill &o)rn o)r losses. GAnd no1 &y dear children.1e cannot let the& in. Dorraine felt the shado1 of fear for her children creep back into her heart. GBefore 1e end this &eeting and e&bark on the &o&ento)s Io)rney ahead. 'he rest of yo) &ay disperse.recei2ing the silent ad&iration of the congregation as he 1ent. 'here is not one of )s that does not ha2e a lo2ed one 1ho is an )nbelie2er. Ae ha2e done as yo) co&&anded.? ha2e faith that yo) 1ill Ioin )s before the p)rification co&&ences.and 1e 1ill stri2e to be 1orthy of the co&pany of yo)r only begotten son.and take solace in the presence of >es)s. #2eryone filed o)t behind hi&.G 'here 1ere &)r&)rs a&ong the sec)red and the )nsec)red alike.G 'he <e2erend sho)ted in righteo)s anger.Gthat all 1ho are chosen 1ill be protected and Ϟ kno1 that all 1ho ha2e the f)ll pay&ent g)ided to o)r =all before the p)rification. GAe are 2ery l)cky to ha2e hi& here-G Dorraine agreed.G On either side of her.GAll &)st be )tterly cr)shed.those of yo) 1ho ha2e sec)red yo)r berths please follo1 &e to the Sal2ation =all. Please protect )s and g)ide )s thro)gh the tro)bling ti&es ahead.

GShe told *issy the Father is 2ery picky abo)t his brandy. ? feel sorry for hi&. GShe has blosso&ed into M)ite a pretty yo)ng lady.G She looped her ar&s thro)gh =elen and DorraineFs ar&s.G GOh.Jora-G =elen chided.G =elen scoffed. 'here are only a co)ple brands he 1ill drink. And %atholics are a big part of the reason 1hy the 1orld is s)ch a &ess.G Jora re&inded her.G G'here yo) ha2e it.Sally)sed to pal aro)nd 1ith Ce2in 1hen they 1ere yo)nger. She had her o1n tidbit to share 1ith the&.Father =ayneFs ho)sekeeper.the dr)nkard.at least 1e ha2e each other.as the <e2erend said. B)t no1. 'he three friends stepped o)t of the ch)rch to gaEe )p at a darkening sky that looked for all the 1orld like an oil spill in the hea2ens. =e is a tr)e disciple of %hristnot like Father =ayne.her da)ghter.G
.G Jora pointed o)t. Jora tho)ght of the da&nation a1aiting her sisterFs fa&ily.the <e2erend 1o)ld gi2e the& a hearty handshake or a clap on the back.checking thro)gh its pages to &ake s)re they allo1ed into the =all only those 1ho had paid off their berths.GdidnFt yo) hear the <e2erendK Ae canFt feel sorry for e2eryone.Ghe is a &an of @od.and Dorraine la)ghed 1ith the&. After she passed the&. =e canFt help it if he 1as born into the 1rong faith.G Dorraine clarified.? ha2e &y ne1 fa&ily. GJo.G =elen directed the& to the line 1aiting at the doors of the Sal2ation =all.G Jora obIected. ? think Ce2in has a cr)sh on her.G She 1as feeling 2ery s)re of herself no1 that she had it fro& the <e2erend that the chosen 1o)ld be led safely to the =all.G1hate2er losses 1e &ay face.1elco&ing the& to the co&pany of the chosen.&isg)ided so)ls-G =elen responded. 'he angels 1o)ld find the& and lead the& to safety. G? do)bt D)cinda *orales has had a drink in years. G(es-G Dorraine consoled her.G*y sisterFs fa&ily in Phoeni$ con2erted to %atholic. G?t co)ld be for herself.for a %atholic.G G'he poor. B)t they had berths in the Sal2ation =all. And she 1o)ld be there 1aiting for the&.on either side of her. G%o&e on.&aking bad decisions and being led astray. G? donFt need to look yo) )p-G she chi&ed. G=elen-G Jora asked.G G*issy told &e a fe1 years back that D)cinda *orales. Ϩ by the doors.G(es-G =elen Bigsby affir&ed. GFather =ayne is a 2ery nice &an. %lara offered the& a slight s&ile. %lara had the ledger book in 'he <e2erend and %lara %hassey stood her hands. G? kno1 all three of yo) are paid )p.G GAell-G =elen Ioked.Gdo yo) kno1 for a fact that Father =ayne is an alcoholicKG 'o =elen it 1as ob2io)s. 'hey fell silent as they approached the head of the line. =er children 1ere )nder this sky so&e1here. G(o) kno1 *issy @ardener at the liM)or storeK Aell.G G? kno1 her-G Jora said.G All three 1o&en giggled. ? a& going to &iss her. 'he 2ery sight c)rdled their sto&achs.G1e kno1 1hat the Father drinks 1ith his sacra&ent.and all the %atholics.G =elen took this as proof of Father =ayneFs drinking proble&. G=a2enFt yo) e2er gotten close eno)gh to the &an to s&ell his breath.b)ys a fifth of brandy e2ery 1eek. GAe didn+t speak to each other for fi2e years.G 'hey la)ghed.

Jora saidGAe are 2ery glad to be here.good.G(es. G%o&e on inside. G? had no do)bts yo) 1o)ld be 1ith )s.
.G GAeFre eager to get to 1ork-G =elen said.
.G G'hank yo).G GAe can )se yo)r help anointing the =all 1ith rose 1ater. GAelco&e ladies.Dorraine cast a last glance at the darkening to1n and the dist)rbed sky. 'hen she allo1ed her friends to dra1 her into the sanct)ary.reaching 1ith his other to caress =elenFs ar&.G 'he <e2erend e$tended an ar&. She &ade a short.<e2erend-G =elen and Dorraine said at the sa&e ti&e. G@ood.G <e2erend %hassey patted Dorraine and Jora on the back 1ith one hand.silent prayer that the angels 1o)ld g)ide her children to the =all as soon as possible.G As the three ladies stepped into the =all.indeed-G Jora t1ittered.

%2& Con rontation Fro& his hiding place )nder the trailer.holding his breath again.obby. G=e knocked so&e kid off his bike and took off. GJo-G the agent responded.G -ood &oin&% . ?t 1as a bl)ff. Ce2in 1anted to bolt fro& his hiding place and beat his 1ay thro)gh the skirting.the &an stopped. =e heard the fight bet1een his sisters and the =o&eland Sec)rity agents.there 1o)ld be no 1ay to hide his tracks. AhereFs the other kidKG G=e took off thro)gh his bedroo& 1indo1. Ce2in d)cked behind the cardboard and froEe.GCe2in =o1ellH (o) &ight as 1ell co&e o)t of hiding no1 and sa2e )s the ti&e.d)sted off the knees of his pants and 1ent aro)nd the side of the trailer to in2estigate.one of the agents tore apart the inside of the trailer. ?f the agent did that.co&e on o)t of there before yo) get yo)rself bit by a snake.ho1e2er. Another 2ehicle halted in front of the trailer. For&al concl)ded for hi&self. Ce2in sa1 the agentFs shoes and tro)sered legs appear fra&ed in the hole &ade by the &issing piece of skirting. G(o) see any sign of hi&KG
. =e spent a 1hile st)dying the tracks 1here Ce2in had leapt fro& the back door.that had Ce2in 1orried.follo1ing it o2er to linger on the cardboard for a &o&ent.there 1ere no 2isible tracks.pa)sing often to e$a&ine he alone kne1 1hat. =e al&ost ca&e o)t of hiding to aid his sisters. =e had been fo)nd. After they left. 'ho)gh Ce2in tried to 1ill those feet to keep &o2ing.b)t so&ething told hi& to stay right 1here he 1as. ?t so)nded like the agent inside the trailer 1as taking o)t his anger and fr)stration on their belongings. Before he co)ld &o2e. ?t 1as his partner o)tside of the trailer.kid.the &an hadn+t seen hi&.the light played back along the a$le to the other 1heel h)b and the s)pporting cinder blocks. Ce2in hoped the agent 1as not a kno1ledgeable eno)gh tracker to lie do1n and sideline the gro)nd the 1ay his grandfather ta)ght hi& to do. 'he &an took his ti&e. ? tried to follo1 hi& 1hile >ared 1restled 1ith his dad. 'he feet shifted and the &an cro)ched do1n to peer into the gloo& )nderneath Ϟ the trailer. GSon)2abitch thre1 )p on &y shoes.1hile the other sco)ted aro)nd the o)tside.Ce2in 1as holding his breath. 'he agent stood )p.tho)gh-G >ared said. G(eah-G the other agent confir&ed.so apart fro& the i&pact &arks 1here he I)&ped do1n.G Ce2in felt the botto& of his sto&ach drop o)t.so he nearly g)lped alo)d 1hen the &an called o)t. After a &o&ent.beca)se 1e 1ill find yo)H All 1e 1ant to do is talk to yo)HG Ce2in stayed 2ery still. GAe got his dad.1itho)t the slightest inclination to di2)lge his hiding place. ?t 1as a relief 1hen his sisters &anaged to escape.Ce2in co)ld hear e2erything going on aro)nd hi&. A s&all flashlight shone on the a$le.G G'he dr)nken bastard bit &eHG G(o) lost the boyKG *r.the agent contin)ed his to)r aro)nd the o)tside of the trailer. Sardonic ga2e )p ransacking the trailer and stepped o)t on the porch.Ce2in tho)ght. GOkay. G=e &anaged to get a1ay 1hile his sisters kept )s b)sy. GDid yo) get hi&KG So&eone asked fro& o)t front.G *r. 'ho)gh he did not realiEe it. 'he gro)nd there 1as all hard pack.ho1e2er.

'he i&age broke )p as Vach bello1ed o)t a 1arning to the neighbors 1ho 1ere &ost likely listening fro& the apparent safety of their trailers.&aybe his grandfather 1o)ld be able to talk his 1ay o)t of the &ess he 1as already in.lea2ing )s in a &ess of tro)ble.G 'here 1as a pa)se. ?n his &indFs eye. G(o)Fre the biggest threat to ho&eland sec)rity in this co)ntry.G 'o the agents. 'ho)gh his grandfather and his )ncles 1o)ld try to protect hi&.he co)ld see *r.G GDetFs shoot )& no1.G 'he agents cli&bed into their 2ehicles.Vach called o)t. So&eti&es a &an has to stand )p to protect his ho&e and his fa&ily.G(o)r fifteen seconds are )p. Bobby 1as right.G *r. GDet )& go.started the engines and p)lled o)t.%harles Deering. Aith hi& gone.GAeFll be backHG GAnd 1eFll be 1aitinF-G Vach replied.
. Deering headed off to1ard his trailer. GAeFre all in the &iddle of it.G? a& sick and tired of yo) people thro1ing yo)r 1eight aro)nd-G Vach ans1eredhis 2oice tight 1ith anger.it 1o)ld only &ake things 1orse for the& and he 1o)ld 1ind )p capt)red in the end. First yo) b)tcher a b)nch of innocent people to teach &y boys a lesson.theyFre goneH (o) can co&e o)t no1HG Ce2in 1anted desperately to do so.he said. Deering piling his beer belly into his tr)ck and ha)ling his fat ass o)t of to1n as fast as possible. Ce2in had ne2er pict)red %harles Deering as the sort of &an 1ho 1o)ld stand )p to so&eone stronger than hi&.G G'ro)ble 1as co&ing 1ith or 1itho)t those boys-G 1as VachFs response. 'hen yo) co&e into this trailer park after &y grandson . GO)r friends fro& <idgepoint intend to take this trailer park apartH Ae ai& to stop the&H ?f anyone 1ants to help.spoke ne$t.G 'he park stayed eerily silent as they departed.GCe2in. BobbyFs dad. 1ho ainFt done nothing.then yo) best pack )p and lea2eHG 'o his sons. So yo) bring back all the troops yo) 1antand 1eFll teach yo) a lesson. After the 2ehicles departed. B)t he did not &o2e. (o)Fll be safer there. As they dro2e a1ay.:ince sho)ted thro)gh his open 1indo1.PaHG *el called o)t.G%o&e on boys. G(o) got a g)nKG G(eah-G %harlie Deering gr)nted.G G?Fll be o2er shortly. =e so)nded sober eno)gh.co&e on )p to &y placeH Ar& yo)rsel2es if yo) canH B)t donFt think yo)Fll be safe hiding in yo)r trailersH ?f yo) donFt 1ant any part of this. G'hose boys are long gone. Ϟ GAre yo) any good 1ith itKG G@ood eno)gh. GJo-G Vach ordered his sons.Q G'hen yo) best get it and co&e )p to o)r place.he said.

Ce2in lay there a ti&e. Of co)rse. =is sa2ings 1as no1here to be fo)nd. =ardi&an stepped o)t on their porch to talk to Da2id Sil2erback.1ho had co&e o2er to tell the& abo)t the confrontation 1ith =o&eland Sec)rity.agent :ince. =e 1o)ld ha2e to be caref)l as it 1as.and &ost of the clothes fro& his closet 1ere stre1n abo)t the roo&.if they looked his 1ay. Aro)nd the corner and across the other street.and 1alked across the street. Ce2in rose to his feet. ?n the hall1ay. =e heard *r. 'here 1as no place to hide here. %ollins co&e o)t onto his front steps I)st as he d)cked aro)nd the back of
.had been right abo)t one thing/ scorpions and rattlesnakes did like to take shelter )nder the trailers. Sardonic. Once across.he slipped aro)nd the back.Cyle.the bedding and &attress 1ere p)lled off the bed fra&e. ?n his roo&.and then he &ade his &o2e. Peering thro)gh the opening in the skirting.Ce2in I)dged no one 1as 1atching and &ade a break for it. Ce2in lay there for a 1hile. =e 1o)ld sneak along the side of the OsborneFs trailer to their shed. 'hat &an. Ce2in sc)ttled aro)nd the corner.and it 1o)ld not be long before e2eryone ca&e back o)tside to talk abo)t 1hat happened here and spread VachFs &essage thro)gho)t the park.then dashed fro& theϞ shed to the back of the Coblanski trailer. 'heir belongings 1ere stre1n all o2er the place. Ce2in co)ld be seen fro& the =ardi&an porch. ?nstead.and the side of the trailer to the other.the rest of the 1ay 1o)ld be &)ch easier. All the dra1ers had been p)lled o)t of the b)rea) and tossed abo)t.st)dying the road and the back of the %ollinFs trailer. =e 1as eager to get o)t fro& )nder the trailer.trying to act cas)al and )nobtr)si2e. =iding by the side of the shed.Ce2in fo)nd his cap and p)t it on.he dashed along the side of the trailer to the back.tho)gh this left hi& e$posed to anyone 1ho &ight pass by on that side.the %ollinsF dog began barking its fool head off as Ce2in approached.took a deep breath. =e raked thro)gh the &ess and fo)nd his Iacket. 'he back of the trailer 1as e$posed to one street.Ce2in ret)rned to the back door.sco)ting the open space bet1een the other side of the shed and *r. 'he back door of the trailer 1as hanging open. CoblanskiFs trailer so&e t1enty feet a1ay. 'ying the Iacket aro)nd his 1aist. %rossing the street 1itho)t being seen 1as only half the proble&.*r. =e sprinted the distance. =e al&ost froEe 1ith one foot on the c)rb and the other on the pa2e&ent. 'here he 1o)ld be on the edge of the trailer park and it 1o)ld be easy to &ake his 1ay to his granddadFs I)nkyard.he 1orked his 1ay do1n the block )ntil he fo)nd hi&self feeling 2ery e$posed behind the (ardleyFs trailer at the corner of the block. =e had to &o2e. ?n this &anner.and they had a dog they kept tied )p in back.like1ise the keys to his dirt bike and his cell phone. *r. and *rs.then I)&ped o)t of the trailer and ran o2er to the shed.preparing to cross the street. Ce2in kne1 he &)st get o)t of the trailer park 1itho)t being spotted. Je$t to the OsborneFs 1as the %ollinsF trailer.)3& #scape and Aid Ce2in 1aited )ntil he 1as s)re they 1ere gone.no1. As he reached the other side.had done a thoro)gh Iob of ransacking the trailer. 'here 1as no ti&e to dig thro)gh all this st)ff looking for his keys and his &oney.and Ce2in boosted hi&self inside. <obinson t1o lots o2er had a dog that got bit by a snake that 1ay.he tho)ght he sa1 so&eone looking o)t thro)gh the OsborneFs front 1indo1. *r.peaked o)t to ascertain there 1as no one 1ithin sight. =e hit the gro)nd as he reached the trailer.

the sheriff 1o)ld ha2e to t)rn )s o2er to the&.G G? donFt kno1 ho1 to thank yo). <eaching )p on a shelf to his left. O)t there in the desert.G Ce2in accepted the knife. G?F2e got so&e ca&ping gear in here. Dook for &e and ?Fll tell yo) 1hether or not itFs safe. B)t 1hy donFcha go o2er to yo)r grandfathersKG G?t 1o)ld be better for all of yo) if ? I)st disappeared. De1 &ade a decision.he rifled thro)gh the contents and p)lled o)t a co&pass. Opening the bo$.do yo) think theyFd spare )sKG #d %ollins &ade no 2erbal ans1er.yo) donFt kno1 &e fro& Ada&. G>)st let &e get a scre1dri2er so ? can change the batteries in o)r radio clock.G Je$t.he grabbed a flashlight and shined it on so&e bo$es stacked in a corner. 'hen co&e on back here.G GOkay. Osborne dre1 an e&pty canteen fro& the bo$.G GAhat abo)t the sheriffKG G(o) kno1 as 1ell as ? do that if =o&eland Sec)rity 1ants )s.G G'hanks. =e regarded Ce2in a &o&ent.? gotta get o)t of this trailer park.too.G GSo 1hatFre yo) gonna doK 'heyFll pick yo) off the side of the road.G Ce2in sl)ng the canteen o2er his sho)lder by its strap.he handed the f)ll canteen to Ce2in. (o) &ight as 1ell take it. De1 s1itched off the flashlight and regarded it for a &o&ent before offering it to Ce2in. DonFt )se it too &)ch.
.Q G*y ad2ice is that yo) find so&eplace secl)ded to &ake ca&p and hole )p for a fe1 days. G(o)Fre gonna need this co&e to&orro1.G De1 d)cked his head and stepped into the shed.he took o)t a S1iss ar&y knife.G G? 1onFt. 'hen he opened the door to his shed.G'hatFs not good-G De1 considered. <ight no1. <et)rning.G Dea2ing the shed.?Fll &eet yo) o)t front. GDet &e get &y g)n and ?Fll head o2er there 1ith yo)-G #d agreed. G? ainFt ne2er had &)ch )se for this.G G?Fll be 1aitinF. G'ake it. @i2e the sheriff and the rest of )s a chance to settle this &ess. G(o) &ight as 1ell take it. De1 1atched his neighbor go into his trailer.G =e sh)ffled the bo$es )ntil he fo)ndϞ the one for 1hich he 1as searching.Q Ce2in nodded. O(o) really see the& &)rder all those *e$icans.*r. G(o) stay right here 1hile ? fill this.he 1ent o2er to the 1ater tap on the side of the trailer and filled the canteen. De1 thr)st it at hi&.G GDet &e 1orry abo)t that.G #d 1as already heading back to his place. GOkay.G De1 t)rned back to his shed.Q GDonFt.G Ce2in nodded. Dastly.yo) can spot a flashlight bea& fro& &iles a1ay. G(o) kno1 ho1 to )se thisKG Ce2in nodded. G?f theyFd sla)ghter a b)nch of *e$icans in front of 1itnesses. ?f they do catch yo). G? 1onFt t)rn yo) in. G? g)ess ? 1ill head o2er to *c%readyFs and hear 1hat Vach has to say-G De1 decided.

GDo yo) ha2e any &oneyKG De1 reached into his pocket.or he 1o)ldnFt a co&e lookinF for ya. G=ere. So&ething &o2ing inside the old deli2ery tr)ck bro)ght hi& f)lly alert. G?F& s)re he 1ants to take it o)t of &y hide.Q De1 dre1 o)t a t1enty a&ero note o)t of his 1allet. 'hey &ean b)sinessBobby. G'hey got &y dad. De1 Osborne 1atched hi& for a &o&ent before he padlocked the shed and headed back to the trailer to fetch his g)n. After they lit )p.G *r. GB)tch 1as here a fe1 &in)tes ago. De1 stepped o)t of the shed and looked aro)nd.G G? kno1.G Ce2in h)rried off into the night. 'he old tr)ck groaned and sh)ddered as so&ething big &o2ed inside it.Bobby opened the backpack to sho1 Ce2in 1hat he had inside. Osborne forced it on hi&. =e headed straight to the hango)t.G>)st 1ait till he finds o)t ? stole his cigarettes.G Ce2in hesitated to take the bill.G Bobby cli&bed o)t of the tr)ck. =e sat )p on the car seat. Jo stars shone in that dist)rbed sky.they 1o)ld a got &e. =e did not kno1 if he co)ld go on by hi&self.good l)ck to yo). GOkay son.G G'hanks. G=ey there. G?t ainFt &)ch. L Ce2in 1as able to &ake his 1ay to the I)nkyard 1itho)t f)rther incident.closing the knife and p)tting it a1ay 1hile hoping Bobby had not seen hi& poised to defend hi&self 1ith that s&all blade. =e sighed at the prospect of tra2eling by hi&self thro)gh this spooky night.G Bobby cracked a s&ile as he p)lled a pack of cigarettes fro& his shirt pocket.G Bobby 1as relie2ed despite hi&self.G G@ood. GFor a 1hile there.G G?f it hadnFt been for &y sisters.ready to spring into action.G =e offered Ce2in a cigarette and took one for hi&self. Along 1ith fi2e &ore packs of
.eyes on the tr)ck. GBobbyHG Ce2in e$clai&ed partly fro& s)rprise and partly fro& relief.? 1as afraid they gotcha.1hat ? p)t hi& thro)gh. G'ake it. 'hat 1as 1hen ? fig)red yo) &)st a got a1ay. GA fe1 dollars. =e rela$ed in his seat.G =e sat do1n in the dilapidated rocking chair 1ith the backpack on the gro)nd bet1een his feet.and eighty a&eros fro& his 1allet. 'here 1as no sign of his friend. 'hen Bobby Deering poked his s&iling face thro)gh the open dri2erFs door. Ce2in thre1 hi&self onto the car seat.Ce2. =e dre1 the S1iss ar&y knife fro& his pocket and opened one of theϞ blades.G Ce2in felt the 1ord 1as inadeM)ate considering e2erything *r. =e gaEed )p to 1here the f)ll &oon &ade little &ore than an oily s&)dge in the sky. Bobby leaned back into the deli2ery tr)ck and p)lled o)t a back pack.dispirited by the prospect of ha2ing to forge on alone. Ce2in had ne2er felt so alone.G BobbyFs 2oice beca&e tight 1ith anger and sadness.G G*y granddad and &y )ncles &ade the& let hi& go. Osborne had gi2en hi&. B)t he co)ld not stay.

G*r.G GAgreed-G Bobby stood )p and p)lled the pack straps o2er his sho)lders. Jorth 1o)ld skirt the park. Osborne s)ggested 1e hide o)t for a fe1 days and then co&e back.G =e handed the flashlight back to Ce2in.Bobby. And so the t1o boys set o)t on foot into the Sonoran Desert in the dark of night. GAest.G Bobby had his o1n take on it. 'hey had planned on riding their trail bikes to the city. O*r.a S1iss ar&y knifeand t1enty a&eros.he had so&e clothes. =e 1anted to help.Q GJot e2en yo)r &oneyKG G? 1as l)cky to get o)t of there at all. G=e probably kne1 1hat kind of tro)ble heFd ha2e fro& yo)r granddad if he t)rned yo) in. GJothing. 'he bea& ill)&inated the side of the deli2ery tr)ck.cigarettes.and a Viploc bag of bisc)its that 1ere starting to cr)&ble. G>es)s. Ahile that &ight be Ϟ part of it.okay.Q O(o) think that+s 1hat 1e o)ghta doKQ G? donFt kno1-G Ce2in 1as getting antsy. Osborne ga2e it to &e-G Ce2in said as he sat the flashlight on the seat beside hi&.
. Osborne had not held Ce2in )ntil the sheriff arri2ed. G? think he felt sorry for &e. GAhereFd yo) get thisKG =e flicked the s1itch.Ga co&pass.they 1o)ld ha2e to sneak past his grandfatherFs ho)se and cross the road.t1o cans of pork and beans.G Ce2in nodded.a can of corn.and e2ent)ally lead the& to the air force base. So)th. =e co)ld not belie2e *r. G<ight no1 1e I)st need to get o)t of here. 'hey had been at this hango)t too long. #ast 1o)ld take the& back thro)gh the trailer park.Q Bobby nodded his appro2al. OsborneFs &oti2es 1ere &ore &agnani&o)s. G(o) got the co&pass0 1hich 1ay do 1e goKG Ce2in considered. Bobby reached o2er and picked )p the flashlight.G Bobby dis&issed the s)bIect.G GOkay.)nder tainted skies.a rolled )p sheet fro& his bed.G G*r. Bobby had to e$a&ine the co&pass and the knife 1hile Ce2in told his story. O?t+s a long 1alk to Phoeni$-Q Bobby obser2ed. ? didnFt ha2e ti&e to grab anything. OsborneH (o) &ean he I)st ga2e yo) this st)ff and let yo) goKG Ce2in related the tale of his enco)nter 1ith De1 Osborne. G? I)st 1anted to see if it 1orked.donFt shine that thing aro)nd hereHG Ce2in grabbed for the flashlight.Galong 1ith this canteen-G he th)&bed the canteen.notice the canteen hanging fro& Ce2inFs sho)lder and the flashlight lying on the car seat ne$t to hi&.he 1as inclined to belie2e that *r. GAhat did yo) getKG he asked Ce2in. =e did.ho1e2er.take the& thro)gh to1n. Bobby held it o)t of reach as he t)rned it off.

Arth)r secretly lo2ed to r)n the siren and the lights. Deft to the&sel2es.G Arth)r spoke 1itho)t thinking as he 1atched the intersections.and had better night 2ision.Part Fi!e — The "lind Men and the #lephant
)%& Meetin( at the Police Station ?t had been a long day. 'r)e.he needed to fig)re o)t ho1 to spell the& so they co)ld rest.1hich he see&ed to think did the Iob. #lliot did not 1ant to hear it beca)se he 1as beginning to think that so&ething in the sky 1as infecting the 1hole to1n. GJe2er &ind.he kne1 his dep)ties 1o)ld 1ork )ntil they dropped.she took her knitting and 1ent ho&e.G Dep)ty Arth)r @ro2es. 'here 1as no telling 1hen he 1o)ld be able to get so&e sleep. GJo.b)t the &ost likely reason for
. ?n the last co)ple ho)rs. Ϟ Fort)nately. Arth)r had been the ob2io)s choice. =e 1as operating on coffee and ')&s. G? 1as I)st trying to &ake con2ersation. ?t 1as an irrational tho)ght.G GAnyone 1ho doesnFt ha2e to be o)t tonight is probably sitting at ho&e 1ith their blinds closed. #lliot fro1ned in the &idst of another sip of coffee. #lliot needed &ore personnel. Ahen her shift ended.he had heard too &any references to a sky he 1o)ld rather not think abo)t.G G?F& sorry.G G(o) 1ant &e to r)n the sirenKG Dike &ost cops. 1ho 1as al1ays battling to bring his 1eight do1n to t1o h)ndred po)nds . See&s like 1eFre the only oneFs o)t here any1ay.*adge had no s)ch co&p)nction.tho)gh he had fe1 opport)nities to do so.Q At this ho)r half the to1n 1o)ld be asleep. ?t &ade hi& 1ish he had bro)ght %)rtis Dodds 1ith hi& and left Arth)r back in the office handling dispatch. 'hey 1ere all so b)sy right no1. And ?F& sick of hearing abo)t that )gly sky.G GSorry.G Arth)r &ade that 1ord so)nd &ore like an indict&ent of #lliotFs te&per than an apology. G'hat sky s)re &akes it creepy o)t here. 'hat 1as the proble& 1ith their police force/ 1hene2er so&ething big 1as going do1nthere I)st 1eren+t eno)gh of the&. =e tried to &ask the odor 1ith cologne.e2eryone 1as a little &ore e&otional than nor&al e2en d)ring a f)ll &oon.%)rtis . G>)st keep yo)r eyes on the road and get )s to *c%readyFs as soon as possible-G #lliot barked bet1een sips of coffee.and #lliot kne1 it 1o)ld be a long night. And. 'his 1hole &ess had &e on edge.#lliot.G Arth)r 1as offended. had de2eloped an odor proble& after e&barking on this garlic diet t1o 1eeks ago. Don %ooper 1as at the hospital p)lling g)ard d)ty.a reg)lar on the night patrol ret)rned to 1hat had beco&e his the&e/ the sky and 1hat a &ess it 1as. G(o) donFt ha2e to bite &y head off. Arth)r co)ld not a2oid referring to the sky. =e 1as a little faster at assessing sit)ations on the fly than %)rtis 1as. #lliot co)ld rest ass)red that she 1o)ld be back in the &orning. %an yo) I)st step on it. GAeFre fine 1ith I)st the lights. She 1orked a long shift any1ay&anning the dispatch fro& 6A* )ntil 9P* .to be honest.reading and 1orking cross1ord p)EEles. Jo one had the heart to tell hi& that the cologne blended 1ith the garlic to prod)ce a p)ngent yet s1eet and &entholated odor that 1as harder to end)re than the garlic alone.to spend the day &onitoring the radioknitting. noon till nine on S)ndays so she co)ld attend ch)rch.

<oberther son Cen and his 1ife Polly .a portable electric type1riter she )sed on the rare occasions 1hen she had to do any typing.and feat)red a set of o)t and in bo$es. On one of the side co)nters sat the dispatch radio a&id a prof)sion of for&s.either 1alking a beat aro)nd to1n or dri2ing patrol. Atop the desk 1as a co&p)ter *adge left off. On the right side of dispatch as yo) entered the front door 1ere the desks of #lliot and Don.&aps.lea2ing a s&all entry1ay on one side.a tele2ision. *adge 1as sitting in the dispatch center . one for each of the fo)r officers that constit)ted the police force of the to1n of =eater. Ahen he s)cceeded.#lliot so)ght to keep hi&self foc)sed on the tro)bles at hand1hich no1 had the& h)rrying to1ard Do2eland *anor.1ith a &ini&)& of cl)tter.#lliot co)ld not dis&iss the feeling this &adness.after 1hich he 1o)ld pass it along to #lliot and the others.indeed. On either side of the dispatch center 1ere t1o desks . 1ho li2ed in Den2er. 1as the &ass &)rder o)tside of to1n. Aord of the &assacre spread. <ather than entertain s)ch a tho)ght.and her da)ghter Crista. =ad he kno1n then 1hat he only s)spected at that point.on the left side 1ere the desks of Arth)r and %)rtis.and reports no one b)t *adge dared to to)ch beca)se she kept the& organiEed in a &anner only she )nderstood. aside fro& hard ti&es .and no1 e2eryone 1as 1orried that they &ight be harboring the &)rderers in their &idst. Arth)rFs desk 1as also 1ell-organiEed.1ith her h)sband *ark. 'he co)nter facing the front door 1as kept bare so the dispatcher co)ld handle any b)siness that 1alked in fro& the street. As Arth)r sped thro)gh to1n. #lliotFs desk 1as the barest of the fo)r0 he spent as &)ch ti&e as possible a1ay fro& the office.they 1ere in the c)stody of =o&eland Sec)rity o2er at <idgepoint. ?t so)nded like the 1hole base had gone &ad. Also on the desk 1as her perennial coffee c)p and the instr)ctions for her c)rrent knitting proIect. #lliot had a hard ti&e placing a call to %olonel Jations.1here folks 1ere preparing for an ar&ed confrontation. ?n the back of his &ind. Arth)r handled &ost of the correspondence co&ing into and going o)t of the office. Atop each desk 1as a co&p)ter.and the &assacre itself. S)pposedly.and a pict)re of Arth)rFs 1ife Betty. #lliot 1as 1orried for their safety.AriEona and s)rro)nding en2irons.and children *att and Ciera .along 1ith Ste1art *arks .if necessary. 1ho 1as no1 &issing along 1ith his entire fa&ily.
.the con2ersation had been 2ery odd.he ne2er 1o)ld ha2e left the trailer park. #lliot still did not kno1 1hat 1as going on at <idgepoint.1ere ca)sed by the diseased pheno&ena taking place in the )pper at&osphere.pict)res of her late h)sband. 1ho li2ed in Phoeni$.and a telephone. On the opposite co)nter sat a radio. After his con2ersation 1ith %olonel Jations . the head of base sec)rity . For the e2ents of the e2ening confir&ed that Ce2in =o1ell and Bobby Deering 1ere the 1itnesses at the &assacre.F 1ent into Arth)rFs in bo$. 'he base 1as in a high state of alert.#lliot re2ie1ed the e2ents since his pre2io)s 2isit to Do2eland *anor. 'he open back of this co&&and center 1as partially blocked off by a desk. All of the tro)ble this e2ening 1as related to that &assacre. DonFs desk 1as 1ellorganiEed. Anything addressed si&ply to F=eater Police Dept. a central spot in the office partitioned off by three co)nters and a desk.that . Don 1as handling Ӿ a co&plaint fro& the so)nds of it. L Don %ooper 1as on the phone 1hen #lliot entered the &ain office follo1ing his 2isit to Do2eland *anor.

partial base&ent that ho)sed the holding cells.that stood on a 1ooden pedestal ne$t to a photo of %)rtisFs son. =e did keep his co&p)ter keyboard and &o)se pad cleared off. Sho)ld they e2er need a fingerprint search or a backgro)nd check.after %)rtis hacked into the FB? database 1hile doing a backgro)nd check. G=ey.%)rtis had confined his s)rfing to legiti&ate channels. AlbineE says it broke her pict)re 1indo1.#lliot co)ld s&ell the stink if the =eater Police Depart&ent 1as ca)ght hacking into a classified Federal database. =e 1as also the one 1ho ran and &aintained the printer and the fa$ &achines set )p on a table behind the dispatch center. 0 ga)ge shotg)ns. ?n the &iddle of the back 1all 1as an entry1ay opening on a short hall. On the left side of the hall 1as a roo& 1ith a table and chairs. G=o1Fs it goingKG Ahile she ga2e her report. Be that as it &ay.behind #lliot and DonFs desks.as he 1as right no1. On the back 1all. Dong ago. Underneath the g)n rack 1as a locked cabinet holding a&&)nition.as 1ell as his priEe baseball signed by <andy >ohnson. Ahen %)rtis 1as dieting.1as a locked g)n rack holding fo)r rifles and t1o . At the back of the hall 1as a short flight of steps leading do1n to a s&all.#lliot ser2ed hi&self a c)p of coffee.and he kne1 the perfect soft1are for e2ery Iob. GAe had fo)r co&plaints abo)t that Iet.1here they 1o)ld keep prisoners a1aiting transfer to the co)nty Iail in AIo.G #lliot ignored her sarcas&. G? 1as looking for an e$c)se to call the base. ?f they needed an internet search%)rtis 1as the one to do it.1hich #lliot tho)ght 1ere as )nsatisfying as che1ing on Styrofoa&.1hich 1as )sed as a conference roo&. =e co)ld fi$ the hard1are if it 1as broken. A snack table sat belo1 the &ap. G@oodKG *adge stopped her knitting to regard hi&.1ith a large coffee pot㉰ӽ %)rtis 1as not on a diet. =is desktop 1as a &ass of cl)tter. On the 1all behind Arth)r and %)rtisFs desks 1as a large and detailed &ap of the co)nty. %)rtisFs desk 1as infor&ally kno1n as F'he Black =oleF beca)se anything that 1ent into it 1as ne2er seen again.
.and felt he 1as partic)larly apt at f)nding reM)ests and organiEing training se&inars. %)rtis 1as the resident co&p)ter e$pert. #lliot took his coffee o2er to his desk. As he sat do1n.the res)lts 1ere less detailed. Peter li2ed in ()&a 1ith his &other.Arth)r took great delight in handling the correspondence. %)rtis did not see hi& 2ery often.and packets of s1eetener.G GAell. Jot that he tried 2ery hard.the pastries 1ere replaced by rice cakes. G'hat 1as <ose Abila-G Don told hi&.and it 1as no1here near as f)n.Peter.crea&er.*adge-G #lliot greeted the dispatcher. *rs. #2er since. On the right side of the hall1ay 1as a la2atory and a storage roo&.%)rtis 1as the person to do it.tho)gh he co&plained it 1as &)ch slo1er.b)t occasionally ser2ed as an interrogation roo&. Ahen a bo$ of pastries.%)rtisFs e$-1ife Delores.?F& so happy 1e co)ld pro2ide yo) 1ith one.#lliot had forbid hi& fro& )sing office eM)ip&ent to do anything illegal.G G@ood-G #lliot said as he stirred crea&er into his coffee.Don finished his phone call.of 1hich e2en he co)ld not &ake sense.this table offered c)ps.

G Don nodded. Ahile yo)Fre o)t there.&ale or fe&ale.b)t he al1ays belie2ed in hedging his bets.G
. (o)Fre looking for a =ispanic 1o&an.to that 2ery trailer.those boys &ay be the ne$t 2icti&s. GA se&i trailer fro& SBC. For right no1.G After he left.G 'his description ca&e fro& his night&are.theyFll s1eep it )nder the r)g. GB)t do yo) think theyFll in2estigateKG GJo.? 1ant yo) to &ake a circ)it aro)nd to1n looking for Ce2in and Bobby.G G(o) ha2e a de2io)s &ind. GOkay.go o2er to SBC and talk to old &an Stelling.1eFre looking for the boys in connection 1ith broken 1indo1s at the high school. 'ell the& 1e had a shooting incident in to1n and one of the 2icti&s left the scene before 1e got there. GAe co)ld report all this to the Border Patrol-G #lliot offered. ? think so&ebody fo)nd her. DonFt &ention listening. Ae kno1 she 1as inI)red. G#$actly-G #lliot dro2e this point ho&e. #lliot 1as 1illing to bet it 1as correct.Q GOkay-G Don said. See if yo) can shake the& )p.G Don got )p.p)t on his hat and prepared to depart. 'ell hi& one of his dri2ers nearly ran so&ebody off the road.se2en or eight &onths pregnant.GAhatKG Don and *adge both asked.and then into the I)nkyard.1e donFt 1ant to gi2e the& any cl)es.G #lliot kne1 Don co)ld not allo1 that to happen.it looked like it 1as riddled 1ith b)llet holes.Q OAnything elseKQ G'here 1as one 2icti& 1ho &anaged to get a1ay. GAhat do 1e doKG GAeFre gonna play this 2ery close to the 2est.in her late t1enties. Jone of o)r enM)iries ha2e anything to do 1ith the &assacre. GDon.G Don p)rsed his lips and f)rro1ed his bro1 as he str)ggled 1ith proper proced)re.Q ㉰ӽ any of this on the radio.boss-G Don ga2e in.G G<ight. GAhat abo)t that se&i trailerKG G? think tonight 1eFll follo1 a pro1ler into the trailer park on foot. GAsk abo)t any g)nshot 2icti&s. ?f so&ebodyFs GOnly 1hen ? ha2e to. G?f ?+& right and 1hoe2er is behind this finds o)t there 1ere 1itnessFs. ? 1ant yo) to call e2ery doctor and hospital in the region.or any of the kids they hang 1ith. G?F& off. <e&e&ber. ?F& going to &ake a fe1 calls.GAhat can ? doKG O%all Arth)r and %)rtis and tell the& to co&e in at se2en.and try to rattle so&e cages.yo) 1ant to talk to the& abo)t broken 1indo1s.no &ore than he co)ld. GAny other instr)ctionsKG GJot for no1. And fro& 1here ? 1as sitting.*adge asked.G GAnd hea2en help those boys-G *adge p)t in.

))& 9arnin( Calls #lliot had a fe1 calls to &ake as 1ell. 'he %olonel had co&&iserated 1ith Sheriff Pierce abo)t the &an. GSonora Border Patrol. #lliot 1as s)re it 1as related to the &assacre at S1anson %reek. And if it e2er looks like yo) &ight cross paths 1ith hi&. G(o) forget anything ? e2er told yo) abo)t that &an. Perhaps his ne$t phone call 1o)ld shed a little &ore light on the &atter.like he 1anted to get this o)t 1itho)t being o2erheard. An official fro& =o&eland Sec)rity. G%olonel Jations-G he barked. =e fo)nd the n)&ber for the Border Patrol o)tpost and dialed it.Gyo) so)nd a little )neasy.G 'here 1as a pa)se. Sid <ankin ans1ered the phone.Q G?s *artin <oss still ca)sing tro)bleKG ㉰ӽ *artin <oss had been a thorn in %olonel JationsF side since the day he arri2ed on the base. =e had his o1n tea& of =o&eland Sec)rity agents and Dark1ater &ercenaries.b)t if ? took off thereFd be a co)rt-&artial 1aiting for &e 1hen ? ret)rned.Sheriff.G G=ello Sheriff. Ae e2en had one reported broken 1indo1. 'here 1as so&ething 1rong on the base. that is.lea2ing #lliot to st)dy the recei2er in his hand. And be caref)l.he did so 2ery M)ickly and M)ietly. =e said <ossFs orders ca&e fro& so&eone far abo2e his o1n head. AhatFs )p.G 'he %olonel h)ng )p.and 1hen %olonel Jations spoke ne$t. 'he &an 1as )na2ailable )ntil #lliot clai&ed he 1as calling on official police b)siness. O?s <yan thereKG
. 'he scientists co&plained abo)t his interference . G? ha2e to go.1hich %ory referred to as the Fgoon sM)ad. And the first on his list 1as %olonel %ory Jations. ?s e2erything alrightKG GAs good as can be e$pected.G %olonel Jations did see& to rela$ a bit. =e had his nose into e2erything.G G=ello.tho)gh he co)ld not say ho1 or 1hy.G'hey &ight not &iss &e &)ch.G G%ory-G #lliot 2ent)red. G?F& ready to go 1hene2er yo) are.F And he 1as al1ays 2ying 1ith %olonel Jations for a)thority. GDone any fishing latelyKG #lliot tried for the a&iable approach.the &an so)nded agitated. Jo1 ? kno1 yo) didnFt call to talk abo)t fishing. 'ake care of yo)rself and yo)r people.head the other 1ay. G%olonel. A fe1 years back.Q G<ight. Any &ore &ass &)rders 1e can take off yo)r handsKG #lliot fro1ned.G G?Fll re&ind the& not to fly o2er the to1n. Ahat can ? do for yo)KG 'his 1as a for&al response. =a2e the ho&eo1ner fill o)t a clai& for&.those 1ho 1ere not inti&idated. %ory and #lliot got along M)ite 1ell.G G'his is Sheriff Pierce.G %ory co&plained. G?s he still operating that goon sM)adKG GDonFt e2en &ention his na&e. %ory 1as M)ite an a2id fly fisher&an.#lliotKG GAe had another lo1 fly-o2er today.no clear reason 1as e2er gi2en for *artin <ossFs assign&ent to the base. GDonFt ? 1ish.G 'hen his 2oice res)&ed its nor&al ti&bre. Ahen he heard the %olonel on the other end of the line. =e had tro)ble getting thro)gh to %olonel Jations. @eneral Aest ref)sed to inter2ene.Sheriff Pierce here.head of sec)rity at <idgepoint Air Force Base.they had e2en gone on a fishing trip together in the <ockies.

i&po2erished and alienated seg&ents of the pop)lation 1ere policed- i&prisoned- or hooked on dr)gs; 'hey kept e2eryone at each otherFs throats; And the &edia &ade s)re e2eryone 1as distracted and h)ngry for the latest cons)&er goods; Do yo) follo1 &eKG G(es-G #lliot responded i&patiently; =e had ne2er e$pected to hear this left-1ing propaganda fro& a federal agent; G'hen e2erything 1ent to pot; 'he econo&y crashed; 'he general p)blic lost their co&fortable lifestyles and fo)nd the&sel2es so deeply in debt they+ll ne2er cli&b o)t of the hole; At the sa&e ti&e- 1eFre r)nning lo1 on the energy that r)ns ind)stry- the econo&y , hell- the 1hole syste&; =o&eland Sec)rity beca&e &)ch &ore aggressi2e in protecting the interests of the pri2ileged class;G #lliot had I)st abo)t eno)gh of this; =e co)ld not see ho1 it applied to hi&; GAe all kno1 that 1hene2er there is ci2il )nrest , food riots- ho&eless protests or 1hate2er , it+s labeled as terroris&; Anyone in2ol2ed loses all the rights of citiEenship- and =o&eland Sec)rity 1ill s1oop do1n to &ake &ass arrests; Jo1 yo) &ay ha2e heard that the instigators and the &ore &ilitant protestors si&ply disappear- b)t all of the other terrorist participants are placed in 1ork ca&ps;G G(eah- ?F2e heard the stories;G #lliot hoped <yan 1o)ld get to his point soon; GAell- this is done )nder the all-seeing eye of =o&eland Sec)rity; 'his is ho1 they keep the syste& r)nning; (o) I)st donFt see it o)t here in s&all to1n AriEona; All yo) see are passing indigents- illegal aliens- and s&)gglers; B)t the fact is/ 1e li2e in a total police state;G #lliot co)ld not take any &ore; GAhat does this ha2e to do 1ith the &assacre at S1anson %reekKG ㉰ӽ the Border Patrol is; #2eryone kno1s the G(o) 1ere talking abo)t ho1 corr)pt D#A is the sa&e 1ay; Aell- #lliot- the Border Patrol and the D#A are both r)n by =o&eland Sec)rity- I)st like the FB?- the %?A and all of the federal intelligence and enforce&ent agencies; 'he Iob of the D#A is to reg)late and &anage the infl)$ of dr)gs into this co)ntry- in order to help prop )p the econo&y and keep the p)blic pacified; And the Iob of the Border Patrol is to &anage and reg)late the infl)$ of illegal aliens; Ae arenFt trying to ste& the tide of illegal i&&igration; =ell- the co)ntry 1o)ld be in e2en 1orse shape 1itho)t the&; G?llegal i&&igrants are a sla2e labor force that can be tr)sted; 'hey 1ant to be here- and they+ll do 1hat they+re told; Jot like the prisoners in the 1ork ca&ps that ha2e to be policed at all ti&es;G GOkay- so yo)Fre in the sla2e trade;G #lliot 1as 2ery close to hanging )p; GAhat does this ha2e to do 1ith &eKG G? Ioined the Border Patrol beca)se ? belie2ed in it- and beca)se ? 1anted to help &y co)ntry; ?F2e had to &ake &y peace 1ith 1hat 1e do; ? canFt b)ck the syste&- and neither can yo);G G? donFt see 1here all this is leading;G G#lliot- ?F& trying to e$plain it to yo); =o&eland Sec)rity calls the shots; 'his is a police state and they are the police; 'hey r)n the syste&; 'here is no one abo2e the&; Anyone 1ho stands in their 1ay 1ill disappear or find hi&self stripped of all rightssla2ing in a prison 1ork ca&p;

G? donFt kno1 1hat =o&eland Sec)rity had to do 1ith the deaths at S1anson %reek; ? &ay not like 1hat ? sa1 there- b)t ?F& not going to get &yself into tro)ble o2er it; Ahen =o&eland Sec)rity tells &e to 1alk a1ay- ? do it; And so sho)ld yo);G GFor &y o1n goodKG G#2en a little to1n like =eater has to face reality; 'his is not the sa&e 1orld 1e li2ed in I)st a decade ago; Forget abo)t 1hat happened o)t there; @o back to yo)r s&all to1n drea&; And 1hen it co&es to =o&eland Sec)rity- do 1hat yo)Fre told and stay o)t of their 1ay;G G?Fll think abo)t it;G G(o) do that-G <yan ad2ised; G(o) think long and hard before yo) do anything; Jo1- ?F2e said &ore than eno)gh; ? tr)st yo)Fll do the right thing; @oodbye- Sheriff;G G@oodbye;G #lliot h)ng )p the phone and sat at his desk thinking o2er e2erything <yan %hal&ers told hi&; 'he tro)ble 1as- if he did not do the right thing- then so&e of his to1nspeople , the people he had s1orn to protect , 1o)ld s)ffer for it; 'he &)rders at S1anson %reek 1o)ld not go )np)nished if it 1as 1ithin his po1er- and nobody else in to1n 1o)ld be har&ed; OArth)r and %)rtis said they+d be here in an ho)r-Q *adge reported; OJeither one so)nded too s)rprised;Q #lliot called Don on the radio and told hi& they 1ere ha2ing a f)ll staff &eeting in an ho)r; Don- in t)rn- told hi& the 1ord 1as o)t on the street that their boys had 1itnessed the &assacre; =e 1o)ld gi2e #lliot the details once he got back to the station; =e 1as already on his 1ay to the SBC 1areho)se- and he 1o)ld head in as soon as he 1as finished 1ith b)siness there; ӽ ㉰ ?f 1ord 1as spreading aro)nd to1nthen those boys 1ere not safe; #lliot 1anted to h)nt the& do1n right then and there and place the& in protecti2e c)stody; ?nstead- he 1o)ld ha2e to 1ait )ntil his tea& 1as asse&bled; ?t 1as not like he had a cl)e 1here they 1ere any1ay; ?f he 1ere in their place- he 1o)ld ha2e taken off after 1itnessing the &assacre; Fro& his con2ersation 1ith Dorraine =o1ell- #lliot kne1 the boys 1ere still in to1n; *aybe they tho)ght they 1ere safe so long as no one kne1; B)t if one of the& blabbed- then it 1as a s)re thing they 1ere either hiding or preparing to take off; #lliot needed to get back to the trailer park as soon as possible; =e 1as abo)t to call Don back on the radio to tell hi& to forget abo)t SBC and get o2er to Do2eland #states 1hen Don called hi&; #lliot 1as standing by *adge in the dispatch center 1hen the call ca&e in; *adge told hi& she had no l)ck locating the s)r2i2or; She 1as abo)t to call the clinic and the tribal police of the 'ohono OFodha& Jation- headM)artered at Sells- on the off chance an ?ndian had fo)nd her and bro)ght her to the reser2ation clinic; #lliot 1as p)tting on the dispatch headset 1hen the radio sM)a1ked to life; GAe ha2e tro)ble at SBC;G Don 1as e$cited; GAhat is the proble&KG G>)st before ? got here- <oger Blain assa)lted %arl J)point and took off in a tr)ck;G %arl J)point 1as <ogerFs father-in-la1 and the general &anager at SBC ?&ports; G@o on;Q GApparently there 1as an arg)&ent- tho)gh no one 1ill tell &e 1hat it 1as abo)t; %arlFs o)t cold; <oger hit hi& 1ith a cro1bar- and then he took off in a tr)ck; =e al&ost ran o2er Alan Dake- and he crashed right thro)gh the gates;G

G=o1 is %arlKG G? donFt see any blood- b)t ?F& s)re he has a conc)ssion; Jobody e2en called an a&b)lance )ntil they sa1 &e p)ll )p;G GAny idea 1here <oger is goingKG G'hey arenFt being 2ery helpf)l;G G(o) tell the& to either start talking or they+re all going to Iail for 1ithholding e2idenceHG G?t+ll be a pleas)re;Q G?Fll be there I)st as soon as ? can; Jobody is to lea2e the 1areho)se )ntil ? say so;G G@ot it;G Don signed off; #lliot tried to call Arth)r and %)rtis again- b)t neither ans1ered their ho&e phone; 'here 1as not &)ch sense in trying their cell phones; Both &en li2ed close eno)gh that they 1o)ld be at the office before #lliot co)ld co&plete the call; S)re eno)gh- %)rtis 1alked in fi2e &in)tes later; #lliot filled hi& in and p)t hi& to 1ork digging )p e2erything he co)ld find o)t abo)t *artin <oss; G?f heFs that high )p in =o&eland Sec)rity-G %)rtis said- Git co)ld be hard to find &)ch thro)gh reg)lar channels;G G(o) 1ant to hackKG #lliot needed this infor&ation; G@o head; >)st be s)re to co2er yo)r tracks; Ae donFt 1ant to lead the& back to )s;G %)rtis booted )p his co&p)ter; GDonFt 1orry boss; ?Fll slip in so M)ietly they 1onFt e2en kno1 ?+& there;G ㉰ӽ&in)tes; #lliot hoped his hacking 1as as =e 1as cr)ising the internet 1ithin )nobtr)si2e as his garlic cologne 1as offensi2e; ?t 1as another fifteen &in)tes before Arth)r arri2ed; =e had stepped into Del&arrFs @rocery to b)y a bo$ of broasted chicken; Ahile #lliot 1as in a h)rry to get o2er to SBC- he had to thank Arth)r for taking the initiati2e; 'he last thing he had eaten 1as the sand1ich he 1olfed do1n 1hile he 1as o)t patrolling the to1n- and that had been &any ho)rs ago; As #lliot told Arth)r abo)t the incident at SBC- they loaded chicken onto a paper plate- filled their coffee &)gs- and grabbed so&e napkins; 'hen they 1ere o)t the door; Don had taken the patrol car- so they loaded into the Dand <o2er; Arth)r dro2e- and both &en attacked the chicken 1hile #lliot filled hi& in abo)t the &)rder case and all the e2ents of the day; G?Fll tell yo)- #lliot-G Arth)r co&&ented as he dro2e 1ith his left hand and held a chicken leg in his right- trying not to s&ear chicken grease on the steering 1heel; G? kne1 that &an 1as gonna bring tro)ble to this to1n the first ti&e ? laid eyes on hi&;G S'hat &an being *artin <oss;T G? I)st 1ish he landed on so&e other base;G GAell- he landed here-G #lliot 1as &opping )p 1ith a napkin after eating a partic)larly &essy chicken thigh; G?f 1e allo1 hi& to go on )nobstr)cted- 1e &ight as 1ell close )p shop;G GOh- ?F& not disagreeing 1ith yo);G Arth)r- like e2eryone in the =eater police force- 1as pro)d to 1ork for a constab)lary that had not gi2en in to the epide&ic of graft and corr)ption that had o2erco&e local la1 enforce&ent thro)gho)t the rest of the co)ntry; Of co)rse- =eater 1as a s&all back1ater to1n that had been set adrift as the rest

Don and 'o& J)point appeared on the other side of the deli2ery 1indo1. 'here 1as a ti&e clock on the 1all. 'hey took hi& to the hospital for tests and obser2ation.to the left of a sec)red iron door. GApparently they ha2enFt &)ch 1ork this e2ening-G Don told hi&.G G(o) gonna catch that son)2abitchKG 'o&&y J)point 1as angry 1ith his brother-in-la1. 'hey donFt kno1 1here <ogerFs going. Alan Dake and Albert 'orrino 1ere seated at one of the tables in the l)nchroo&.G Don grinned.'o&.they fo)nd the&sel2es in a sealed off 2estib)le. Don told 'o&&y J)point.)+& 6ncident at S:. <oger Blain 1as griping beca)se they 1ere shorthanded. GDooking at the ti&e cards.G Don left the l)nchroo& and #lliot stepped o2er to the table to address the three e&ployees.G'hey beca&e talkati2e after ? threatened the& 1ith Iail ti&e. After he hit %arl.both &en d)sted cr)&bs of chicken coating fro& their )nifor&s. #lliot had to 1onder ho1 &any of those bo$es held illegal dr)gs or other contraband. #ntering the front door.#lliot ca)ght a glance into the open 1areho)se at the other end of the hall1ay. 'hat left I)st fo)r of the& 1orking do1n here. All he co)ld see 1ere bo$es stacked to1ard the ceiling. By the ti&e they reached the SBC 1areho)se.G #lliot agreed.<ay and *el *c%ready 1ere here b)t they p)nched o)t three ho)rs ago.G As he spoke. G(o) better arrest hi& for cold cocking &y dadHG GAe 1ill.he led the& do1n a hall1ay off the left side of the front office.G=eFs in his office. G=o1 is %arlKG 1as #lliotFs first M)estion.and a rack of p)nch cards. G=e+s probably got a conc)ssion.F #lliot pressed the b)tton and a &in)te later. 'here 1as a b)tton on the 1all1ith a sign that said. As they stepped o)t of the SU:.G G@et hi&.G G?s this e2eryoneKG #lliot had e$pected &ore people. =e said he 1anted to lea2e early too. 'o& b)EEed open the door and #lliot and Arth)r stepped into a large front office 1ith a co)nter and t1o desks. %arl 1as arg)ing 1ith hi& and it I)st got o)t of hand. G?s >oseph Stelling hereKG Don nodded. 'hey co)ld see 1here <oger Blain s&ashed thro)gh the front gates of the fenced co&po)nd. =e intended to head o2er there as soon as possible. Alan tried to stop hi& and he al&ost got r)n do1n.1ith a s&all sM)are deli2ery 1indo1 in the 1all opposite the front door. 'hey parked by the patrol car. Alan 1as to be the dri2er. 'he 1areho)se 1as M)iet no1. Jear the ti&e clock 1as the open ㉰ӽ door1ay to the l)nchroo&. ?Fd say 1e sho)ld get so&eone o2er to his ho)se. Arth)r 1alked aro)nd behind the& and stationed hi&self. #lliot g)essed Don had herded e2eryone into the b)ilding. =e tho)ght he 1o)ld find at least one of the *c%readyFs here.they had finished their hasty &eal and cleaned )p as best they co)ld.b)t first he needed to talk to these &en hi&self.G Don told hi&.he hopped in the tr)ck and took off.G(o) can Ioin the others.
. As Don led the 1ay into the l)nchroo&. =e 1as 1orried abo)t %onnie and the children.F<ing for ad&ittance. Se2eral closed doors led into side roo&s0 t1o of these 1ere &arked as la2atories. 'hey 1ere loading a tr)ck bo)nd for Dake 'ahoe. G=eFs still o)t.

#lliot t)rned his attention to 'o&&y. B)t 1e ainFt &)rderersH <ogerFs a d)&b f)ckinF co1ard.no do)bt abo)t it. *aybe heFs ha2ing proble&s 1ith his 1ife or &aybe it 1as that kid of his.he 1a2ed to Don to co&e along.he said. >oseph Stelling 1as the first one to speak. B)t he co)ld not stop 'o&&y.in case they ha2e anything else to add.? kno1 <oger is a hothead. GSheriff. G=eFs been on edge lately.b)t it 1as Alan 1ho spoke first.? think 1eFd better.G G(eah. G?tFs no1 &y dadFs lyin+ in the hospital. DonFt 1orry1eFll catch <oger Blain.can ? talk to yo) in &y officeKG G(es. GAlbertKG G=e didnFt like it here. ? donFt kno10 1e didnFt talk &)ch. GAhyKG G=e 1as dri2ing a f)cking se&iH =e sho)ld ne2er ha2e allo1ed hi&self to be forced off the roadHG Alan shifted in his chair and kicked 'o&&y )nder the table.G G(o)Fre talking abo)t 1hat happened at S1anson %reek. GAnd ? kno1 he tries to drink his tro)bles a1ay and then he goes ho&e and takes it o)t on his 1ife and kids.G =e directed this last co&&ent and 1hat ca&e ne$t at 'o&. So he cl)bbed his father-in-la1 and stole a tr)ck.G GDid he ha2e any friends hereK Anyone he talked toKG Albert d)cked his head e2en lo1er. Only Albert 'orrino did not ret)rn his gaEe.G =e told 'o&&y. GSBC 1as bringing a load of 1etbacks into the co)ntry.
. G=eFs been 2ery )nhappy the last co)ple days.glancing at #lliot and then looking back do1n at the table.G GAhy the last co)ple daysKG #lliot probed.GStay here 1ith the&. GJo1. GF)ckinF =o&eland Sec)rity. B)t ? canFt see hi& blo1ing )p like this I)st beca)se he 1anted to lea2e early.G GAhoKG #lliot leaned to1ard 'o&&y.1ho 1as clenching and )nclenching his teeth.G Albert &)&bled.G 'o&&y gri&aced. =e let the& force hi& off the roadHG GFor %hristFs sakeHG Alan c)rsed 'o&&y for not keeping his &o)th sh)t. =e+s a lo1life. GAhoKG G'hatFs eno)gh-G >oseph Stelling said fro& the door1ay. G'hat f)cking co1ard deser2es to dieHG 'o&&y er)pted. Alan Dake looked back at hi& 1ith a poker face. =e kept his head do1n and his eyes on the soda can in front of hi&. 'o&&y J)point 1as boiling 1ith anger. G<oger 1as dri2ing.they 1o)ldnFt ha2e been able to do 1hat they did.G(o) did the right thing.G As he follo1ed >oseph Stelling o)t of the l)nchroo&. <oger 1anted o)t of 1ork early.arenFt yo)KG #lliot ha&&ered. G=e kno1s 1e r)n the border.G #lliot regarded the three &en seated before hi&. G'he sheriff ainFt st)pidHG 'o&&y responded. ?f he+d stayed on the road and led the& back here.thatFs 1hoHG #2eryone 1as silent for a &o&ent as the genie 1as finally let o)t of the bottle.GDet &e see if ?F2e got this straight.G 'o Arth)r. =e doesnFt like his Iob here and he doesnFt like yo)r fa&ily.&ore so than )s)al.G Albert and 'o& 1ere both ready to start talking. ㉰ӽ beca)se of hi& 1eFre all in this &essH And G? donFt careHG 'o&&y lashed o)t.

G GAhatKG GDo yo) kno1 the head of =o&eland Sec)rity o2er at <idgepoint/ *artin <ossKG #lliot nodded.1hat yo) do here is yo)r o1n b)siness. ?f yo) can li2e 1ith it. G(o) kno1 the bodies at the city d)&pKG
.G G'hen 1hat are yo)r intentionsK ?f yo) are going to infor& the Border PatrolP.G Ahile >oseph loathed to talk abo)t this.it is in sad shape. O)r 1hole co)ntry is in sad shape. 'he go2ern&ent is 1ell a1are of 1hat 1e do here.G Don snickered.G >oseph faltered.G G'he Border Patrol 1onFt do a da&n thing abo)t it. ?t 1as a s&allplain office 1ith a desk and three chairs. <oss and ? entered into a b)siness agree&ent se2eral &onths ago. GJo1 1e ha2e to h)nt hi& do1n before he har&s anyone else. =e needed to get o2er to the Blain ho)se as soon as possible. @lancing at his partner.>oseph e$panded on DonFs state&ent. ? didnFt kno1 1hat he 1anted the& for .this nation 1o)ld collapse. GAhat did he 1ant the& forKG #lliot pro&pted.b)t 1itho)t b)sinesses like o)rs.fine. G*r. =is sto&ach 1as t)rning o2er. Jo1.G >oseph had lost so&e of his color.preferably yo)ng &en and 1o&en. G'hen I)st call hi& a sick sadist 1ho gets off on killing people.& The 6mport "usiness >oseph StellingFs office 1as do1n the hall1ay fro& the l)nchroo&.? donFt care.G 'he la1&en contin)ed regarding hi& in stony silence.so long as it doesnFt har& the people of this to1n.yo) co)ld sh)t do1n one of the last thri2ing b)sinesses in this to1n. GFrankly.G G? kno1 all abo)t ho1 this nation r)ns. ? didnFt ask. ?f yo) donFt 1ant to belie2e &e.G ?nstead of taking offense. 'ho)gh ?F& s)re <andall Celler is rolling in his gra2e.he 1ent on 1ith his confession.all ? 1ant fro& yo) is the tr)th. G=a2e a seat.yo) &ay not belie2e it.Sheriff. @entle&en. G?Fll tell yo) 1hat ? kno1. G#2ery &onth.? s)pplied hi& 1ith a pair of i&&igrants.G >oseph resisted the )rge to cra1l )nder his desk and hide.G #lliotFs 2oice 1as cold and hard. GOkay. >oseph Stelling directed the sheriff and the dep)ty to the 1ooden chairs. GAo)ld yo) belie2e &e if ? told yo) *artin <oss 1as into black &agicKG >oseph st)died their faces and I)dged they 1ere not b)ying this.and 1e both kno1 it. And the reason he lost it 1as beca)se one of yo)r deals 1ent so)r and a 1hole tr)ckload of people 1ere &)rdered I)st o)tside of to1n.G 'he la1&en 1aited for hi& to contin)e. All those people died to teach &e a lesson.).he sa1 that Don 1as sitting rigid in his seat.G #lliot did not ha2e ti&e for this.G #lliot broke in. GAeFre here this e2ening beca)se ㉰ one ӽ of yo)r &en co)ldnFt handle yo)r dirty b)siness and lost his head. G(es. B)t first he needed so&e ans1ers.a 1ell-padded s1i2el chair behind the desk and t1o 1ooden chairs in front of it. GDook.1ith his hands clenched into fists. G?t 1as a lesson. G?Fd say this to1n is in pretty sad shape if its last thri2ing b)siness is s&)ggling.G >oseph regarded the& as they sat do1n. 'hey are o)r biggest c)sto&er. Ahat do yo) intend to doK ?f yo) &ake a stink abo)t this.fine. ? tho)ght he &ight ha2e a deal 1ith a resta)rant or so&ething.>oseph.

'hey 1ere only partially b)rned.G 'he &anFs allegations 1ere fantastic.&y connections failed &e. 'he 1hole 1eek before the ne$t ship&ent 1as d)e. So&eho1they fo)nd o)t 1e had a ship&ent co&ing thro)gh that night and they intercepted it. GSo 1hat did yo) doKG GDoK Ahy 1e did nothing. 'he &)rders started 1ithin a &onth or t1o of <ossFs assign&ent to the base. G? had no desire for a confrontation 1ith *artin <oss. 'hey 1anted ten people this ti&e. <oss. And they s)ggested so&e of the possible conseM)ences if ? didnFt. 'hen they
. =e panicked. And then ? dis&issed the &atter. And this ti&e.G G*el *c%ready and his dad fo)nd the last t1o. ? 1as )rged to honor &y deal 1ith hi&. 'hey ga2e &e one &ore &onth to &ake )p the &issed ship&ents . ? told hi& there 1o)ldnFt be any &ore ship&ents. GSo yo) did nothing. <oger Blain and <ay *c%ready 1ere &aking the r)n. G? need so&ething to drink. GAo)ld either of yo) care to Ioin &eKG GJot 1hile 1eFre on d)ty.G(es-G #lliot ans1ered.and stopped the tr)ck. 1ith interest. Fifty-eight people. G? had &y s)spicions.three &onths ago at the d)&p. >oseph Stelling po)red hi&self a genero)s helping of 1hiskey and drank &ost of it in one g)lp.tho)gh ? didnFt 1ant to ad&it it to &yself. Unfort)nately.G =e drank and sat the e&pty glass on the desk. =e 1anted to kno1 1hat happened.opened the botto& dra1er and p)lled o)t a bottle of >ohnny Aalker and three glasses.G 'he 1hiskey &ade hi& G'he ne$t ti&e his ship&ent 1as d)e&)ch less hesitant.? recei2ed a 2isit fro& t1o of <ossFs hench&en. =e told &e abo)t it. So another &onth passed 1ith no ship&ent. 'hey threatened to b)rn do1n the 1areho)se and take so&e of &y e&ployees in lie) of the i&&igrants. G'he day after the deli2ery date.Q ㉰ӽ 1e didnFt fill it. 'hey &ade <ay and <oger )nload the bodies.? co)ldnFt be a party to &)rder. G*artin <oss 1as there. #2ery &onth. ?t see&s that *artin <oss is )nto)chable.al1ays 1ithin a 1eek after 1e &ade o)r deli2ery to the base. G? co)ldnFt do it. =e said they e$pected do)ble the n)&ber the ne$t &onth.and there had not been another since.G >oseph drained his glass and po)red hi&self another.G >oseph thre1 hi&self back in his chair and shook his head.like clock 1ork. B)t ? co)ldnFt li2e 1ith &yself if ? did that. G'hey re&inded &e that ? had a deal 1ith *r. 'he *c%readyFs &ade the last disco2ery.and )rged &e to li2e )p to it.in the sa&e shape. B)t yo) go right ahead.G >oseph pa)sed and sighed. All of the 2icti&s had their throats c)t and 1ere after1ard disposed of and b)rned. G'hey 1ere all b)rned. =e 1as dri2ing 1hen they sho1ed )p.G >oseph t)rned his chair to the filing cabinet. =e had tro)ble holding the glass steady to do so. ? called in so&e fa2ors. At the sa&e ti&e.t1o bodies t)rned )p at the d)&p.absol)tely nothing. 'hey held so&e kind of cere&ony 1hile <ay and <oger 1atched. 'he &)rders occ)rred once a &onth.and they had their throats c)t. *el recogniEed the& as i&&igrants 1e passed along to <ossFs &en a 1eek pre2io)sly.yet his story 1as consistent 1ith past e2ents. ?t 1as <ogerFs second r)n. ? tried to tell &yself to gi2e hi& his flesh and forget abo)t it.1e got a call fro& one of <ossFs agents.G GSo 1hat happened *onday nightKG G'he ne$t ship&ent 1as d)e last 1eekend.? 1restled 1ith it.G GAhat happened the ne$t &onthKG G? do ha2e connections in the federal go2ern&ent.

*y boys tho)ght their ti&e 1as )p.and the ne$tKG >oseph gaEed at the far 1all. G?nstead. along 1ith &y entire fa&ily.
. #lliot took co&&and. G'here 1onFt be another ship&ent.1e+re to incl)de one child e2ery &onth free of charge.G >oseph nodded as #lliot and Don left his office. GJo1 1e ha2e to find <oger. GAhat+re yo) gonna do abo)t the ne$t ship&entKG #lliot asked.he 1ill take &e&bers of o)r fa&ilies to &ake )p for it. =e p)lled hi&self together so he co)ld go dis&iss his &en and see to closing )p the 1areho)se for the night. =e said this sM)ared the books. GAhat do yo) &ean.G #lliot ended the conference. (o)Fll ne2er bring hi& to I)stice0 heFs too po1erf)l for that. Don follo1ed his lead.G >oseph ended his confession and po)red hi&self another drink. *artin <oss 1ill pay for e2ery single death. =e kno1s 1here &y children and &y grandchildren li2e.d)&ped kerosene on the& and set the& ablaEe . ?n addition. #lliot tho)ght he 2ery nearly had.1hat a& ? gonna doKG >oseph drank deeply.<oss ga2e the& a &essage to bring back to &e.?Fd be dead . G(o) think ?F& gonna let hi& take &y grandchildrenK ?+& gonna gi2e hi& his bloody sacrificeHG GAnd the ne$t &onth. =e looked at the bottle of 1hiskey. I)st like the others. ?+& p)tting an end to this &adness.as a sign of respect.so long as 1e res)&e &onthly ship&ents.like he lost his so)l.G #lliot stood )p.G G? 1ish that 1ere tr)e.Q GAeFre gonna bring do1n <oss before >oseph re&ained seated. G? 1ant yo) to forget 1e e2er had this con2ersation.and then p)t it back in the filing cabinet along 1ith the glasses. All 1e talked abo)t 1as <oger Blain and the incident this e2ening.G ㉰ӽhe has a chance to h)rt anyone else.G GDonFt 1orry. GAe can see o)rsel2es o)t. 'hey tho)ght theyFd be shot in the back and tossed do1n 1ith the others. ?f <oss fo)nd o)t abo)t this. 'hey &ade <ay and <oger stand on the edge of that g)lly and 1atch the& b)rn.G GDea2e it to &e.thankf)l for the ass)rances b)t do)btf)l #lliot 1o)ld be able to back the& )p.Sheriff. ?f 1e donFt.

G=opef)lly 1eFll ha2e the& all ro)nded )p tonight.G #lliot 1as p)EEled for a &o&ent.G G?F2e already tho)ght of that.G #lliot noticed that Don tensed )p at the &ention of *artin <oss. Don and ? are going to the Blain residence. G? 1ant yo) to head o2er there and bring the entire fa&ily to the station ho)se. G? 1as gonna tell yo). 'heyFd gi2e =o&eland Sec)rity a fight abo)t I)risdiction and this 1hole thing 1o)ld go p)blic. AeFll ha2e a lot to disc)ss once 1e get back.*artin <oss doesnFt 1ant that.ho1e2er. Before daybreak.G G(o) get that. G*adge.G Don glanced at #lliot as he dro2e. =e says they need to talk to yo) )rgently. Ae got a call fro& %al *arks. G*adge. GSte1art *arks.)-& To Protect and Ser!e #lliot and Don stopped by the l)nchroo&. ? &ean.G 'here 1as a pa)se as Don fo)ght 1ith hi&self o2er 1hat he 1anted to say.G GAhere toKG G?F2e got a fe1 places in &ind. As Don started the Dand <o2er.#lliotKG *adge asked. G=e belie2ed it.#lliot-G Don apologiEed.they can take )s too. Ae ha2e to hope Ce2in and Bobby can keep their head do1n )ntil 1e catch )p 1ith the&.Don and ? are on o)r 1ay o2er to the Blain ho)se.G #lliot h)ng the &ike on the recei2er. ?F2e been trying to reach yo). Arth)r sho)ld report back shortly. 'he three &en sitting aro)nd the table looked 2ery &)ch like the cat that ate the canary. Pike. 'o the other &en.G? 1ant yo) to take the car and head back to the station.G #lliot 1as ahead of hi&.G #lliot let Don dri2e. GAeFre done here-G #lliot told hi&. =e had gotten a soft drink fro& one of the dispensers.do yo) copyKG G? copy.G GAordFs all o2er to1n. *y first choice is the tribal police at Sells. And if 1e try to stop the&.Bobby Deering and Ce2in =o1ell 1itnessed the &)rders.1hat+s the addressKG G264 A.G #lliot dis&issed the apology. Alan Dake 1as ready to tro)nce the other t1o.G G'hatFs okay. Jo &atter ho1 po1erf)l he is.#lliot radioed the office.he said. GAe co)ldnFt ha2e done anything abo)t it if yo) had told &e earlier.1eFll transfer the& o)t of here.G Don filled hi& in.beca&e 2ery ani&ated. Arth)r. GAhat did yo) think of >oseph StellingFs storyKG G?t 1as one of the 1eirdest things ?F2e e2er heard.G On their 1ay o)t.G Arth)r signed off. G@ot it.=o&eland Sec)rity.G(o) three can go abo)t yo)r b)siness.#lliot.G GArth)r 1ill bring the& all in and theyFll be safe. Arth)r 1as standing by the table.they can 1alk right in and take the&. GSorry.G GAill do-G Arth)r confir&ed. G%alFs son. Do yo) copyKG G(es.1as the third 1itness. Don.Ste1art.G ㉰ӽ G%opy.he told Arth)r.G GAeFll &eet back at the station.G Arth)r called back fro& the patrol car.G
. GDo yo) think theyFll be safe at the station. G?F& on it.b)t ? didnFt ha2e a chance.

1e ha2e to thro1 o)t the r)le book and fight dirty.hear &e o)t. And Arth)r feels the sa&e 1ay abo)t this to1n that ? do.that any of )s 1ill be able to hold on to o)r badges. =e so)nded scared. ? hardly spoke to hi&.? co)ld ha2e gone to Phoeni$Alb)M)erM)e.&aybe 1e can take the heat off those boys. ? canFt tolerate that and still re&ain sheriff.he did.G G(o)F2e &et <oss.and ?F2e ne2er regretted it. ?F2e co&e to lo2e this to1n and its people.and it e$plained all the &)rders 1eF2e had in the last co)ple years.G G%an ? speak no1KG Don 1as trying hard not to feel ins)lted.GAhat *artin <oss is doing is &onstro)s.ha2enFt yo)KG GA co)ple ti&es.G
. And no1 he+s threatening people in o)r to1n.and ?+& content to ser2e the& and do 1hat+s right.1e ha2e a lot of 1ork ahead of )s.GAell then.#lliot.G =e 1aited for #lliot to protest. B)t yo)yo) arenFt fro& here and yo)F2e got yo)r 1hole career ahead of yo). ? chose =eater.? 1o)ldn+t be able to contin)e 1earing this badge.? can &ake that choice for &yself. All the big cities &ade &e offers. =ell. Jo1.G G(o) think *artin <oss is into so&e kind of De2il 1orshipKG #lliot+s eyes 1ere on the road ahead. G? canFt let this go.G G%olonel Jations has been fighting 1ith hi& since he sho1ed )p.and he has 1itnesses to confir& it. ?t 1as consistent 1ith e2ents.b)t ?Fll tell yo). ?nstead #lliot said.G Don contin)ed. For &e.b)t ? canFt order the rest of yo) to follo1 &e.1hatFre 1e )p againstKQ ?t 1as ti&e for hard talk. G? beca&e a cop beca)se ? 1anted to )phold the la1. First thing. GDon.or if ?+ll s)r2i2e. And if so. %)rtis 1ill be &ore than happy to break the r)les if it &eans he ㉰ӽ can hack.e2en DA.b)t ? donFt kno1 1here the fight 1ill take &e.if 1e co&e o)t of this on top.letFs find <oger Blain. G'hatFs 1hat Stelling said.G G(o) donFt ha2e to.b)t no1 ?F& thinking itFs &ore than that. gi2ing hi& all o)r first born sonsKG =e pa)sed a &o&ent. %ory 1arned &e not to cross the &an.he ga2e &e the creeps.G G?t so)nds like heFs got a 1hole cabal set )p o2er there on the base. B)t if ? 1anted to ser2e the la1.that &an has been &)rdering people and lea2ing their bodies on o)r doorstep.G(es. ? canFt pro&ise. <oss has the syste& on his side. GAhen ? grad)ated fro& the acade&y. =e said that if ? 1anted to cli&b thro)gh the ranks and &ake &oneygo to the city.G G>es)s. For t1o years. ?f ? do let this go. B)t ? listened to the ad2ice of one of &y teachers.or any badge. Ae gre1 )p here. ?f there+s to be any chance of 1inning this.it 1o)ld be *artin <oss. ? ha2e an idea 1e &ay get hi& to talk.? canFt let this go. ?f so&eone 1o)ld be capable of 1hat old &an Stelling said.Q GJo. ? tho)ght it 1as I)st a po1er str)ggle.the la1 &eans doing 1hat is right .1here 1e gonna end )p . ?f ? didn+t help take hi& do1n. and that isnFt al1ays 1hatFs 1ritten in the book.and 1e chose o)r Iobs beca)se 1e 1ant to protect this to1n.then find a position in a s&all to1n so&eplace 1here the police force 1asnFt corr)pt.so does %)rtis.

<oger started &aking border r)ns. As a dri2er.%arl rode hi& t1ice as hard. At first. ?n todayFs econo&y.1hich ga2e hi& a break fro& his 1ife and son. All too often. <oger Blain did not kno1 1hy he allo1ed hi&self to be p)lled into this &ess.&o2e crates and clean )p &esses.1hich b)rned %arl )p all the &ore. B)t oh. #2en <ay *c%ready felt sorry eno)gh for hi& to talk old &an Stelling into trying <oger as a dri2er. ㉰ӽ %arl so)ght to keep hi& in the 1areho)se. B)t he co)ld handle that so long as he co)ld get a1ay fro& hi& often en)gh. So t1o &onths back. 'his left <oger no choice b)t to get in2ol2ed in the s&)ggling. ?t had 1orked for the &ost part.&aking life )nbearable for hi&.)nder his th)&b. Of co)rse.<oger tho)ght they 1ere all tired of hearing %arl holler at hi&. As if the legiti&ate end of the b)siness a&o)nted to &)ch of anything.they 1ere all legiti&ate r)ns. =ell.it &ade for M)ite the incenti2e.so&ebody else 1o)ld.they began to tr)st hi& 1ith the &ore sensiti2e deli2eries. <ay ga2e hi& his assign&ent and then let hi& be. Deli2ery r)ns paid better than 1areho)se 1ork.he didnFt ha2e to get in2ol2ed in that other st)ff0 he co)ld I)st 1ork in the legiti&ate end of the b)siness. Day after day. 'o be honest. 'he e$tra inco&e 1as &ost 1elco&e. legiti&ate ones at first. B)t the pay for 1areho)se 1ork 1as lo1. Ahen he 1asn+t dri2ing. #specially his father-in-la1 and old &an Stelling. =e sho)ld ha2e left that Iob the &o&ent he fo)nd o)t I)st 1hat kind of a b)siness >oseph Stelling ran.b)t he reasoned that if he did not do it.e$cept for his fatherin-la1.and he and %onnie had to str)ggle to &ake ends &eet )ntil he 1as gi2en a chance to pro2e hi&self as a dri2er.they started hi& o)t &aking deli2eries .treating hi& like so&e pansy 1ho tho)ght he 1as better than they 1ere. Da&n %onnie for e2er asking her dad to get hi& a Iob at SBC. She kne1 1hat kind of b)siness they did.all he did 1as load tr)cks. e2eryone e$cept Albert 'orrino.and da&n her again for e2er talking hi& into taking it. e2en tho)gh &ost of the ti&e the boy did not see& to be a1are of anything aro)nd hi&. #2eryone backed off. B)t nohe co)ld not e$pect %onnie to lea2e her fa&ily and her friends.<oger fo)nd hi&self 1ishing that child had ne2er been born. 'hen he 1as gi2en the opport)nity to &ake a
. After thate2eryone in the 1areho)se started in on hi& .%onnie had to )rge her dad to go easy on hi&. ?t 1as a tre&endo)s relief to get a1ay fro& his father-in-la1. And all the ti&e%arl harped on hi& for e2ery little thing.).in order to pro2e hi&self to the others and get the& off his back.she had told hi& ti&e and again.and border r)ns paid better yet. As <oger pro2ed hi&self a capable dri2er. <oger kne1 he 1as distrib)ting dr)gs and other contraband. <oger &ade his deli2eries 1itho)t any proble&s.he 1orked )nder <ayFs s)per2ision.he contin)ed to 1ork in the 1areho)se )nder %arl. =e co)ld not )proot Delbert fro& the en2iron&ent he 1as )sed to . #2erything 1ent fine. Old &an Stelling paid the& in A&eros instead of 1orthless US dollars. And all the ti&e his in-la1s 1ere s&irking behind his back. Until this 1eek. And the special deli2eries bro)ght a bit of a bon)s in his paycheck. 'he *e$ican 1as the closest thing <oger had to a friend at 1ork. 'hree 1eeks ago. 'o &ake &atters 1orse.he 1as only a dri2er part of the ti&e. And it kept hi& a1ay fro& ho&e.he sho)ld ha2e packed )p his 1ife and kids the day CerryFs Pins folded )p.1eek after 1eek.e2en if this to1n 1as t)rning into a dried )p hole in the desert.& 0oney< 6’m 0ome 'hey all had it co&ing. %arl took e2ery opport)nity as fore&an to ride <ogerFs b)tt.

*aybe he 1o)ld lea2e the tr)ck and take the &ini2an. At the ti&e.1as all gassed )p. <oger 1as dri2ing a tr)ckload of *e$icans into the US. Jothing 1o)ld go 1rong. 'hen the )nthinkable happened. And that he had not &anaged to r)n Alan Dake do1n . First he needed to grab so&e clothes. =e 1ished he still had the tire iron. %onnie better not stand in his 1ay.he 1as )nloading bodies again. ?f he had a hard ti&e 1ith his father-in-la1 before. F)ck the&0 they 1ere the reason he 1as in this &ess in the first place. #2eryone bla&ed hi& for 1hat happened.and they 1ere pointing g)ns at hi&. 'hat 1o)ld s)re &ake life a lot easier.tho)gh.he 1o)ld go broke p)tting gas in it. ?t 1as as if she e$pected hi&. =e 1o)ld take &ore pleas)re applying it to the side of her st)pid head than he had gotten cracking her fatherFs thick sk)ll.or 1atching the& b)rn 1hile 1aiting for a b)llet to plo1 into hi& fro& behind.he 1as &ore than a little 1orried abo)t being ca)ght. 'he sight of her enraged hi&. Jo. <ay 1as sitting beside hi&. She had the c)rtain dra1n aside. =e &ade )p his &ind that he 1as not going do1n alone.he had to stop by the ho)se.fiddling 1ith the radio and talking abo)t 1hat he 1o)ld do 1ith his bon)s.special r)n. %li&bing do1n fro& the tr)ck. <oger 1as rela$ing after &aking it across the border 1itho)t a hitch. 'hey 1ere the go2ern&ent.for her sake.
.no1 the &an 1as )nbearable. 'he tr)ck. Delbert ga2e hi& the creeps. As he p)lled the big rig to a halt in the street in front of the ho)se.and the bottle of teM)ila he kept in the cabinet o2er the refrigerator. <ay 1o)ld be right there to &ake s)re e2erything 1ent s&oothly. =e 1as do)btf)l it 1o)ld e2en &ake it o)t of the state. =o1e2er.on the other hand.the 1ay he 1o)ld stare off into space and then say so&ething that so)nded like he picked it right o)t of yo)r head.beca)se e2ery ti&e he closed his eyes.sho)ld one be needed. =e needed clothes and a fe1 other things. At All of this 1as going thro)gh his head this point. ?t 1as *onday night.he had no definite plan in &ind. Jo1 he 1as doing 1hat he sho)ld ha2e done long ago/ getting o)t of this da&ned to1n. =is only regret abo)t 1hat happened earlier this e2ening 1as that he had not cl)bbed %arl long ago. ?t had eno)gh f)el to take hi& 1here2er he 1anted to go.<oger had not heard hi&. Ahen he tho)ght &)ch abo)t %onnie and the kids. Before he co)ld lea2e. 'hey co)ld load all of their belongings into the back of the tr)ck and head for %alifornia. or better yet old &an Stelling. *aybe he sho)ld I)st lea2e the& in =eater and strike off on his o1n. =e had not slept.all he co)ld think of 1as that he had to obey =o&eland Sec)rity. 'onight %arl ha&&ered hi& )ntil he reached the breaking point.he kne1 she &)st pay for all the tro)ble she ca)sed hi&.b)t it 1as on its last legs. 'he last fe1 days since had been a night&are.he co)ld see %onnie 1atching hi& fro& the front 1indo1. <oger 1as de&oted back to 1areho)se 1ork. =e did not ha2e ti&e to &ess aro)nd. ?t 1o)ld be less conspic)o)s. <oger kne1 they had ear&arked hi& as a first sacrifice.his anger 1o)ld blaEe o)t of control. #2eryone 1as 1aiting for the other shoe to drop. She sho1ed no s)rprise to see hi& p)ll )p in the tr)ck.<ay and the others ass)red hi& this load of 1etbacks 1as all set )p 1ith the Border Patrol.and he beca&e the scapegoat. Ahile he 1as looking for1ard to the bon)s. ?f <ay told hi& to head for the 1areho)se. ㉰ӽ as he dro2e the SBC tr)ck to his ho&e.

the bat did not carry the f)ll &o&ent)& it &ight other1ise ha2e been able to deli2er. 'oo late. She yelled at hi& as she s1)ng the bat.into the scraggly rose b)sh that gre1 beside the steps. <oger 1as a1are he 1as falling off the porch.it 1as ti&e to settle )p 1ith this c)nt I)st as he had settled )p 1ith her dad. Beca)se she had to clear the door1ay before she s1)ng.she left the 1indo1 and opened the front door. A shock of lightning s)rged thro)gh his sk)ll. She stood partly in the door1ayand spoke in a 2oice that co)ld not hide her hatred. *y dadFs in the hospital.it did not register to hi& that she stepped on the porch to &eet hi& instead of retreating into the ho)se.G(o) son)2abitchH (o) p)t &y dad in the hospitalHG 'he bat ca)ght hi& on the left side of the head abo2e the ear. (es. <ed lights 1ent off in his head.
㉰ӽ
. 'hen he lost conscio)sness. (et the blo1 1as s)fficient to stop hi&. As he bo)nded )p the steps.As he crossed aro)nd the front of the tr)ck to the 1alk1ay leading )p to the porch.he sa1 the baseball bat she had been hiding behind her back.G 'he acc)sation al&ost stopped <oger dead in his tracks at the foot of the porch. G? kne1 yo) 1ere co&inF.

or the city beneath it.he had &ade a series of dra1ings 1here it looked like the sky 1as on fire.and <oger 1as lying &otionless atop the roseb)sh. =er &other called &in)tes before <oger arri2ed. %onnie did not take ti&e to st)dy his latest 1ork. She 1ondered if perhaps she sho)ld ha2e taken the kids o2er to the %ar2er ho)se ne$t door. 'hen she stationed herself at the 1indo1 and 1aited.people 1ere r)nning and rioting )nder the b)rning sky. =e 1as absorbed in his dra1ings. As she crossed the hall she glanced o)t the front door. She kne1 the &ini2an 1o)ld not take her &)ch farther than Phoeni$. She tho)ght of going to her &otherFs ho)se.she nearly thre1 do1n the bat and ran to hide 1ith the children. She felt the tears co&ing and she al&ost lost it. She felt a conf)sing &i$t)re of panic. And it 1as this later that allo1ed her to get a grip on her e&otions.this assa)lt on her father finally bro)ght o)t her anger and her desire for re2enge. She co)ld not belie2e she had really done it. She forced herself to hold steady. Ahen <oger p)lled )p.her hands shaking 1ith adrenalin. =e had the look of &)rder in his ㉰ eyes. Since Father =ayneFs 2isit that afternoon.and Delbert 1o)ld thro1 a fit if she took hi& a1ay fro& his dra1ing. She tossed the bat a1ay. Phoeni$ 1o)ld ha2e to be far eno)gh. One glance at hi& and she kne1 that if ӽ she did not s)cceed then she .regret and relief. <ight no1.ordering the children to stay there )ntil she ca&e for the&.she d)g thro)gh her )nder1ear dra1er )ntil she fo)nd the s&all band-aid bo$ in 1hich she had sM)irreled a1ay a little &oney o2er the years. She dried her face on a to1el and 1ent to her bedroo&. At a glance it looked like a I)&ble of bodies in a g)lly. ?nstead.she h)nted aro)nd for a 1eapon )ntil she settled )pon the baseball bat. Sho2ing the
.b)t she felt there 1as no ti&e.1aiting as he ca&e )p the steps. For a &o&ent her knees b)ckled and she held herself )p 1ith her elbo1s on the sink basin. ?n others. ?t happened so fast. She 1as not s)re her 1ords e2en registered 1ith Delbert. 1o)ld be dead. She 1o)ld ne2er be free of this asshole )ntil she str)ck back. Any1ay.sickened by 1hat she had done. %onnieFs first instinct 1as to take the kids and flee before he sho1ed )p. ?n spite of her concern.and breathed a little easier to see there 1as no sign her h)sband had re2i2ed. ?n so&e. B)t so&eho1. She said he 1ent berserk and nearly killed her father.battered ho)se1ife. She 1ent to the bathroo& and splashed 1ater o2er her face at the sink. Dooking into the &irror o2er the sink. She p)t little #llen in DelbertFs roo&.there 1as no 1ay she 1as going to co&e close to hi&.that 1o)ld I)st co&plicate &atters.the ne$t thing she kne1 she 1as holding the bat in front of her.she 1as going to end this 1hole thing at the front door.she sa1 a frightened. After sh)tting the kids in DelbertFs roo&. and the children too .)/& 0ome< Sweet 0ome %onnie tossed the bat off the other side of the porch.she st)&bled back into the ho)se in a daEe. (et she also sa1 a deter&ined and co)rageo)s lioness o)t to protect her c)bs. She 1ondered if he 1as still ali2e. ?n the bedroo&. Jo1 it appeared that he had changed his the&e entirely.b)t that 1as not far eno)gh to be safe. Jell %ar2er 1o)ld be s)re to ha2e a doEen M)estions. #llen stood in the &iddle of the roo& sobbing as she closed the door.it 1as diffic)lt to tell if the sky 1as b)rning.standing in the door1ay clinging to the bat behind her back.all she 1anted to do 1as to get o)t of to1n.after all the beatings she had by <ogerFs hands. Jo.

G(o) 1atched the& die-G Del said. <oger froEe. AeF2e got to go. groaned at the sa&e ti&e.G #llen left the toy train and ran to her &other 1ith ar&s open 1ide. G%o&e on kids.noooHG #llen 1ailed.and the blo1 knocked the breath o)t of her. She co)ld hear #llen screa& as <oger ha)led her to her feet and shook her head.G Before she finished 1hat she 1as saying<oger had her by the hair. And at the top of the gorge stood <oger.&oney into the pocket of her Ieans. %onnie knelt beside hi&. 'here 1as the gorge filled 1ith bodies in fla&es. G@et o)t of &y head. She back-pedaled fast in an effort to stay on her feet and relie2e the pain in her scalp as <oger headed for the hall1ay. 'he blood drained o)t of his face. =is anger t)rned to fear.so blank and yet all-seeing. She lay on the floor<oger kicked her in the legs a co)ple of ti&es. Delbert 1as 1orking on his dra1ing. G(o) lea2e hi& aloneHG GOr 1hatKG <oger t)rned back to her. %onnie 1heeEed and ㉰ӽ holding her side and c)rling )p her legs. =e held a piece of dra1ing paper.he ha)led her )p and s&ashed the back of her head into the 1all.si&ply a state&ent of fact. 'hen he said one 1ord/ GDaddy. GDet &e sho1 yo) ho1 itFs donebitch.and I)st as he did 1hene2er he closed his eyes. %onnie p)t #llen do1n and stepped o2er to the side of the easel. #llen 1as screa&ing again. G(o) gonna cl)b &e againKG Planting his hands in her hair on either side of her head. =e had a good handf)l of her hair0 there 1as no 1ay she co)ld break free. 'hen he thre1 the 1added pieces do1n at DelFs feet. Delbert looked right thro)gh her.a spectator to the horror.G As he spoke. =er head bo)nced off the 1all. On it 1as a scene fro& <ogerFs night&ares.see&ed to bore into his so)l.there 1as nothing she co)ld do. =e )sed her &o&ent)& to sla& her against the 1all. #llen had stopped crying and 1as playing 1ith a toy train she co)ld not get to r)n.
. 'hen he p)lled back his foot to direct a sa2age blo1 at her face.G Delbert 1as standing beside his father.1hich he sho1ed to <oger. G=it &e 1ith a f)ckinF batHG <oger kicked her in the side. %onnie tried to get )p. Still no sign of <oger.looking )p at hi&.t)gging at the boyFs ar& in an effort to get his attention.sending hi& spra1ling on the floor. G*o&&yHG %onnie scooped her )p and ga2e her a h)g and a kiss.boyHG <oger roared as he backhanded Delbert across the face.ai&ing blindly in his f)ry. GDaddy. (et the boy stared at hi& passi2ely1itho)t e$pression. =e felt hi&self go 1eak and po1erless. Delbert contin)ed to 1ork as tho)gh he had not heard her. G(o) da&n freakHG 'he childFs eyes.I)st as he had that night. G(o) bitchHG he hissed.she crossed the hall to DelbertFs roo&. Jo acc)sation. She slid to the floor. GDelP. And 1ith hi& behind her.G GDaddy. =e snatched the pict)re a1ay fro& Del and tore it )p.his ar&s dropped to his sides and the &arker he 1as )sing fell to the floor.

She ca&e o)t of the bedroo& to stand by her brother. Both children had their eyes ri2eted on their &other. #lliot h)rried o2er to the kitchen in ti&e to see <oger heading thro)gh the back door. =eFs got a proble&-G *adge infor&ed hi&.G =e stood )p.he grabbed the &ike.#lliot sa1 %onnie stir at the so)nd of her da)ghterFs 2oice.hands open.his anger and his fear. %onnie 1as )nconscio)s.G O)t of the corner of his eye. 724 %hestn)t Dane. 'heyFll fi$ her )p good as ne1.G As he t)rned a1ay. 'he boy 1as sobbing. As the sheriff lo1ered his g)n a little.G=altHG follo1ed by a shot. =e heard Don yell.#llenappeared to ha2e escaped physical inI)ry.GSh)t )pHG <oger bello1ed at the child o2er his sho)lder. 'here 1as panic 1ritten in his eyes.groaning. G(o)r &o& is going to be okay.G GDaddy h)rt her-G #llen &e1led.G G%opy. G=eFs heading for the back doorHG #lliot called to Don on the porch behind hi&.b)t she had a strong and steady p)lse.#lliot-G *adge responded. =e s&ashed %onnieFs head against the 1all and 1as rearing back to do so again. Deaning into the passenger side of the SU:. GJo1 ?F2e got to call for help so yo)r &o& 1ill be alright.thro)gh the kitchen. #lliot knelt before the&.and he sported a red ㉰ӽ &ark on his cheek.#llen knelt beside her &other and patted her ar&. %onnie slid to the floor. <oger 1as standing in the yard 1ith his ar&s )p. ?Fll call an a&b)lance to take her to a doctor. Delbert 1as sobbing 1here he lay. L G=altHG 'he sheriff 1as standing in the door1ay 1ith his 9&& @lock ai&ed at <oger.#lliot looked o)t into the back yard.1ith his g)n trained on hi&. 'he little girl.Arth)r 1as trying to contact yo).G G?Fll get on it. <oger beat )p %onnie pretty bad.<oger bo)nded o)t of the hall.G GAe ha2e <oger in c)stody and 1e 1ill be bringing hi& in as soon as e2erything here is taken care of. GDonFt yo) 1orry abo)t that. 'hen he h)rried o)t of the ho)se to call for help.G G#lliot. =e 1onFt e2er h)rt her again. GDay do1n on yo)r sto&achH Jo1HG <oger did so. #llen 1as crying in the bedroo&. GAe need an a&b)lance at the Blain ho)se.*o&&y.so help &e @od. =e helped Del )p. G(o) do that again and. =e looked back to see %onnie reach )p and stroke her da)ghterFs hair.1hen Sheriff Pierce called o)t in a 2oice that c)t right thro)gh his pain. #lliot p)t his g)n a1ay and ret)rned to the hall1ay to check on %onnie and the kids. GAhat is itKG
. Don stood se2eral yards a1ay. Don leapt off the porch and ran aro)nd the side of the ho)se to intercept hi&. G#lliot here)rgent. <acing o2er to the kitchen 1indo1.?Fll drop yo) right 1here yo) standHG <oger let go of %onnie and held his ar&s )p. G?tFs going to be okay.

GSo&eone already took the 1hole *arks fa&ily;G GAhatKG GDet &e call that a&b)lance; And then 1eFll see if 1e can raise Arth)r;G #lliot 1aited 1ith the interco& in his hand; Ahat 1as going on o2er at the *arksF ho)seK =e sensed so&eone approaching and t)rned to see 1hite-haired Jell %ar2er; G?s e2erything alrightKG she asked; G?t is no1;G 'he last thing #lliot needed 1as a b)sybody; Aait a &o&ent; *rs; %ar2er &ight be helpf)l after all; GDo yo) kno1 the Blain children 2ery 1ellKG G?F2e 1atched the& no1 and again; Are they okayKG G(es- theyFre fine; A little shook )p is all; B)t their &other is going to the hospital- and 1eFre taking their father into c)stody;G Jell %ar2er knitted )p her bro1; G? kne1 this 1o)ld happen one day; ?f ? told her once- ?F2e told her a tho)sand ti&es to lea2e that &an;G She glanced at the big rig parked in front of the ho)se; GAhat happenedKG GAeFre still sorting it o)t; %an yo) take care of the kids 1hile she goes to the hospitalK *aybe call her &otherKG G%ertainly- Sheriff;G *adge called Arth)r repeatedly 1hile #lliot talked to *rs; %ar2er; Jo1 Arth)r responded; G(eah- *adge; AhatFs )pKG G#lliot 1ants to talk to yo); #lliotKG G@i2e &e a &in)te;G #lliot spoke into the &ike; 'hen he asked *rs; %ar2er- G%an yo) 1ait for &e o2er by the porchKG G(es;G *rs; %ar2er left hi& to do as she 1as told; ㉰ӽ GArth)r- 1hat happenedKG GAccording to the neighbors- =o&eland Sec)rity agents broke into the ho)se and carted off the 1hole fa&ily in t1o =)&2ees; 'hey 1ere none too gentle abo)t it;G GShitHG #lliot said- not realiEing he had the b)tton do1n on the &ike; GAhat 1as thatKG Arth)r asked; GJothing; Find o)t e2erything yo) can and &eet )s back at headM)arters; %opyKG G%opy;G Don 1as escorting <oger aro)nd the side of the ho)se- the latter 1ith his hands c)ffed behind his back and his head hanging do1n; *rs; %ar2er glared at hi& fro& o2er by the porch; G*adgeKG G(es- #lliotKG G%all >oseph Stelling at the 1areho)se and tell hi& he can find his &issing tr)ck parked at the Blain ho)se;G 'hey had no need to hold onto the tr)ck; And the sooner it 1as off the street- the sooner this neighborhood co)ld ret)rn to nor&al; G=ereFs o)r boy- #lliot-G Don said as he approached the Dand <o2er; G'hro1 hi& in the back-G #lliot did not tr)st hi&self to e2en look at <oger Blain right no1; GStay 1ith hi& )ntil 1e lea2e;G GOkay-G Don opened the back door of the <o2er and st)ffed <oger inside; #lliot 1alked )p to the ho)se; G%o&e on- *rs; %ar2er; DetFs get these kids o)t of here;G Jell %ar2er follo1ed hi& inside- not a little )neasy abo)t 1hat she &ight find- b)t concerned and deter&ined to take the children )nder her protecti2e 1ing;

%onnie 1as f)lly conscio)s; She 1as lying on the floor- propped against the 1all; 'he children h)gged her- one on each side; %onnie gri&aced against the pain; (et she h)gged both the children tight and 1ept; Ahen she sa1 #lliot and *rs; %ar2er- she sniffled and )sed the back of her hand to 1ipe a1ay her tears; GAn a&b)lance is on the 1ay;G #lliot told her; G=o1 do yo) feelKG G?F& alright;G %onnie spoke 1ith so&e effort; She co)ld only take shallo1 breaths beca)se of the pain in her side; Still- it 1as nothing co&pared to the throbbing ache that still s)rged thro)gh her head fro& the back to the front; She co)ld hardly &o2e her head at all- or e2en her Ia1; GAhat abo)tP;G O<ogerFs in c)stody-G #lliot ans1ered before she co)ld finish the M)estion; G=e 1onFt e2er h)rt yo) again;G G'hank yo);Q Jell %ar2er knelt beside the&- G=o1 1o)ld yo) children like to co&e o2er to &y placeKG GJo-G #llen responded; GAe 1ant *o&&y;G 'hey h)gged %onnie tighter- &aking her gri&ace all the &ore; G(o)r &o&&y is h)rt;G #lliot tried to help the& )nderstand; GAnd 1hen yo) h)g her like that- it h)rts her &ore;G G#llen-G %onnie &anaged to say; G(o) and Del go 1ith *rs; %ar2er; *o&&y 1ill be alright;G She tried to s&ile; GAfter ? see the doctor- ?Fll co&e back and 1eFll go 2isit @rand&a J)point;G #llen looked )p at her &other ti&idly; G? pro&ise-G %onnie told her; GJo1 yo) go along;G ӽ Jell %ar2er held o)t a hand; #llen ㉰ looked at her &other again- then left her side and took *rs; %ar2erFs hand; G(o) too- Del;G %onnie patted his back; G%o&e on- Del-G his sister )rged hi&; Del rose and 1ent to his sister; G(o) kids be good;G %onnie forced so&e cheer into her 2oice; G?Fll be back soon;G G@oodbye *o&&y-G #llen said; Del stared at her; Jell %ar2er took o2er- herding the children o)t of the ho)se; G=o1 1o)ld yo) kids like so&e cookiesKG #lliot co)ld hear the siren of the approaching a&b)lance; =e knelt beside %onnie; She had closed her eyes and 1as trying to rela$ in spite of the pain; G%onnie;G She opened her eyes at the so)nd of his 2oice; GDonFt yo) go to sleep no1;G She s&iled at hi&; G#lliot- yo) re&e&ber 1hen 1e 1ere in schoolKG G(es;G G?F2e &ade a lot of bad choices since then; B)t one of the 1orst 1as to &arry that &an;G She gri&aced in pain; GBe still no1; <oger 1ill ne2er h)rt yo) again;G G#lliot- ? ne2er sho)ld ha2e let yo) go;Q GAell- ?F& here no1- and ? ainFt goinF any1here;G #lliot spoke in a M)iet- 1ar& 2oice; =e knelt closer and kissed her forehead; %onnie groaned; #lliot p)lled back- e&barrassed by 1hat he had done; G?F& sorry;G

GDonFt be-G she told hi&; G? needed that;G She reached o)t and held his hand; #lliot 1as te&pted to tell her ho1 &)ch he had &issed her all these years; =e 1as afraid that if he opened his &o)th- he 1o)ld not be able to sh)t it again )ntil the D 1ord ca&e o)t- and this 1as not the right ti&e for that; So he silently held her hand and 1atched o2er her- listening to the a&b)lance as it t)rned onto %hestn)t Dane and stopped o)t front; Soon the para&edics ca&e in 1ith a stretcher; #lliot backed o)t of the 1ay so they co)ld gi2e %onnie a M)ick e$a&; =er ribs 1ere br)ised and she sho1ed signs of a conc)ssion; *o2ing her onto the stretcher- they took her o)t of the ho)se and loaded her into the a&b)lance; #lliot 1as at her side the 1hole 1ay; Before they closed the doors and raced off to the hospital- #lliot told her- G?Fll be there to 2isit yo) I)st as soon as ? can;G #lliot 1atched the a&b)lance depart; 'hen he 1alked o2er to Ioin Don- 1ho 1as leaning against the side of the Dand <o2er; GShe gonna be alrightKG Don asked; G(eah-G #lliot ans1ered; =e glo1ered at <oger in the back seat; G=eFs talking- co&plaining &ostly;G GAell- heFs gonna talk a lot &ore;G #lliot 1ent to the front passenger door; GDetFs go back to the station; Ae need to &eet )p 1ith Arth)r; Ae can M)estion this b)& along the 1ay;G #lliot cli&bed into the SU:; Don 1ent aro)nd to the dri2ersF side; 'he &o&ent #lliot sat do1n- <oger started 1hining; GAhat abo)t &eK ArenFt yo) gonna call &e an a&b)lanceK ? got hit in the head 1ith a batHG ㉰ӽ G?Fll hit yo) in the head 1ith a lot &ore than that-G #lliot barked; <oger 1inced and held his head; GAeFll take yo) to the hospital once yo)F2e ans1ered o)r M)estions;G After a &o&ent- #lliot added- GPerhaps yo)Fd like )s to take yo) to the clinic at <idgepointKG GJo;G <oger blanched and dre1 back into his seat; GAell- thatFs )p to yo);G #lliot laid o)t his choices; GAe can dri2e aro)nd )ntil yo) fall into a co&a and then drop yo) off at <idgepoint; Or yo) can talk to )s- in 1hich case 1eFll take yo) right on o2er to the hospital; 'he choice is yo)rs;G G?Fll talk;Q G@ood;G #lliot settled side1ays in his seat so he co)ld 1atch <oger 1hile they con2ersed; GAeF2e already spoken to yo)r boss; Ae kno1 yo) 1ere the dri2er *onday night 1hen those *e$icans 1ere &)rdered;G G=ey- ? didnFt ha2e anything to do 1ith that; ?F& not a &)rdererHG GJo- yo)Fre I)st a lo1-life 1ife beater;G <oger took these 1ords like a slap in the face; GAe kno1 *artin <oss 1as behind the &assacre; Ae need to hear the story fro& yo)r o1n &o)th; ?f yo) play along- yo) I)st &ight be able to a2oid atte&pted &)rderalong 1ith charges for s&)ggling illegal aliens- and o2er fifty co)nts of accessory to &)rder; B)t if yo) donFt play ball- 1eFll b)ry yo) so deep yo)Fll ne2er see the light of day again;G G?Fll tell yo) 1hat happened; B)t ? 1onFt be a 1itness against *artin <oss; 'hat 1o)ld be s)icide;G

B)t ? 1as able to hack into =o&eland Sec)rity. G'heyFre probably going to keep hi& o2ernight for obser2ation. =e 1as a Ja2y Seal for a 1hile.Dark1ater. GAhereFd Don go in s)ch a h)rryKG %)rtis asked.<oger had told the& e2erything. %)rtis 1as taking part in the con2ersation fro& his desk. 'hey had delayed long eno)gh in taking hi& to the hospital. As he po)red a c)p of coffee. G=eFs taking <oger Blain to the hospital-G #lliot told the& as he passed byheading for the coffee table in the back of the office. G@o ahead and )se yo)r siren. (o) stay 1ith hi&. All three stopped talking as #lliot entered the office. G?f 1e hadnFt gotten there 1hen ㉰ӽ 1e did. ?f yo) see anyone fro& =o&eland Sec)rity . Arth)r 1as already back fro& the *arks ho)se.#lliot t)rned to %)rtis.alongside the <ockefellers.&aybe the noise 1ill help keep hi& a1ake.and then he 1ent into na2el intelligence. GJone of it thro)gh reg)lar channels.he added.1hile he b)sied hi&self on the co&p)ter. for that &atter.G Don flipped on the siren and peeled o)t.)1& *ise and Shine By the ti&e they reached the stationho)se. ?f nothing else. yo) let &e kno1. 'hey sho2ed the boys in one =)&2ee and the parents in another and took off.G%onnie hit hi& in the head 1ith a baseball bat. 'he Pier&ont fa&ily &ade its fort)ne in the oil b)siness.G #lliot sipped his coffee and strolled o2er to the dispatch center. 'he aro&a of garlic and cheap cologne follo1ed hi&. ? co)ldnFt get near their co&p)ters. =e 1as leaning against the side of the dispatch center.G GSo)nds like ? need to call %olonel Jations again.genetics.G G@ood for herHG *adge cheered.defense contracts. GDid yo) find anything abo)t *artin <ossKG G? fo)nd a lot-G %)rtis ans1ered.and Pier&ont ?nd)stries.G G?t so)nds like yo)F2e been b)sy. =e had a
.G %)rtis s1i2eled his chair and rolled a1ay fro& his desk to Ioin the rest of the&. 'here 1as a t)ssle in the yard 1ith Ste1art and his father. ?Fll send Arth)r or %)rtis o2er to relie2e yo). G=o1 1e gonna do thatKG G?Fll tell yo).G G? did. GAhat happened at the *arks ho)seKG #lliot asked Arth)r. <idgepoint is on so&e kind of lockdo1n.anyone fro& the base . GAe need to &ake s)re that fa&ilyFs safe. #lliot 1atched Don tear aro)nd the corner.G GOkay. G=o&eland Sec)rity sho1ed )p f)lly ar&ed.G B)t first.he began to sl)r his 1ords and his eyes 1ere gro1ing hea2y.heading for the hospital.phar&ace)ticals&edia. G? hope yo) co2ered yo)r tracks. G*artin <oss started o)t in the &ilitary. 'hey broke in the front door and ha)led e2eryone o)t. Pier&ont ?nd)stries had its hands into e2erything/ oil.G #lliot did not like this one bit.chatting 1ith *adge.G %)rtis la)nched into his profile.and none of it good.G GFro& =o&eland Sec)rityKG Arth)r kne1 =o&eland Sec)rity 1as )nto)chable. 'o1ard the end. Don drop #lliot off in front of the police station.and then he cli&bed the steps and entered the station. G?t didnFt keep hi& do1n for long.he 1o)ld ha2e killed her.G <oger 1as on the 2erge of blinking o)t.tied to the US Defense Depart&ent and =o&eland Sec)rity. Pier&ont ?nd)stries 1as a &egacorporation de2eloped by billionaire @regory Pier&ont.aerospace.G Dark1ater 1as the 1orldFs largest pri2ate ar&y.

?n that sa&e year. And *artin <oss 1ent to 1ork e$panding the b)siness. Before the t)rn of the cent)ry.and the go2ernors to o)tso)rce catastrophe relief and policing operations.G GAhat a racket-G *adge co&&ented.1hatFs good for Pier&ont is good for the US.he 1ent right to 1ork for Pier&ont ?nd)stries.they 1ere in2ol2ed in at&ospheric research. 'heir g)ards are trained by Dark1ater. (o) re&e&ber the riots after the dollar collapsedKG #lliot re&e&bered hearing thro)gh police channels of the br)tality 1ith 1hich the ㉰ӽ rioters 1ere s)ppressed. =eFs a %hristian s)pre&acist 1ho b)ilt his co&pany in order to help lead the %hristian 1orld to Ar&ageddon. Ahat+s &ore.G
. G'hey 1ere established by an e$-&arine and born-again %hristian.rep)tation for taking the hard Iobs and getting the& done.there hasnFt been anyone 1ith the ability to challenge this sort of thing. Pier&ont ?nd)stries is a large s)pporter of both political parties. =e 1as 1orking for Dark1ater and =S at the sa&e ti&e .after getting into tro)ble in2ol2ing deaths in an ?ndonesian 1horeho)se. Ahen the US &ilitary 1as o2ere$tended. (o) kno1. G'hose 1ere Dark1ater forces that p)t do1n the riots. And heFs still 2ery close to @regory Pier&ont. and still is so far as ? can tell. GOh. G'he federal go2ern&ent beca&e a tool of the corporations long ago-G %)rtis lect)red. And since they s)spended the US %onstit)tion follo1ing the declaration of &artial la1.G GSo)nds like a n)t-G Arth)r co&&ented. G=e beca&e a part of @regory Pier&ontFs inner circle. 'heyF2e been the pri2atiEed ar& of the US &ilitary e2er since. GSo 1hatFs a player like *artin <oss doing at <idgepointKG GAord is he fell o)t of fa2or 1ith his boss. Fro& the &ilitary. G(o)F2e got to 1onder ho1 they get a1ay 1ith it-G Arth)r said.)ackenb)sh.yo) kno1 . Dark1ater 1as the &aIor beneficiary of that la1.Dark1ater stepped in 1ith its o1n troops. At the beginning of the cent)ry. *ost =o&eland Sec)rity agents are e&ployees of Dark1ater.G GDylan Forthbright.G GAhat+s the real reasonKG G(o) kno1 ho1 h)sh-h)sh they are o)t at <idgepoint. By that ti&e he 1as also one of the top officials at =o&eland Sec)rity.they+re the largest &ilitary force acti2e inside this co)ntry. *artin <oss 1as the acting co&&ander of the ca&paign. GB)t &ost of this ca&e to pass after the t)rn of the cent)ry.Dark1ater hired its personnel o)t pri&arily as body g)ards for the rich and po1erf)l.tho)gh there 1ere so&e co&plaints abo)t his sadistic bent. GAhat do yo) kno1 abo)t Dark1aterKG G'heyFre the 1orldFs largest &ercenary force-G #lliot said. ? think itFs a co2er story. ? had to dig back a co)ple decades to find o)t 1hat theyFre doing.by the 1ay.G #lliot bro)ght the& back to the topic at hand.%ongress passed a la1 allo1ing F#*A=o&eland Sec)rity.G 'his state&ent raised eyebro1s. =e retired fro& the &ilitary at age thirty-t1o.the pri2ate prison corporation that r)ns &ost of the 1ork ca&ps in this co)ntryK 'heyFre also a part of Pier&ont ?nd)stries. 'hat I)st doesnFt add )p.G %)rtis pa)sed fro& his acco)nt. GA 2ery po1erf)l n)t.tho)gh. GPier&ont ?nd)stries acM)ired Dark1ater in 20 4.

=o1e2er. Since then. B)t thereFs been a lot of disc)ssion abo)t it on the 1eb. GJoHG
. 'hat doesnFt tell )s 1hy *artin <oss 1as sent there.G A light 1ent on in #lliotFs head. ?F& s)re he )sed that na&e/ ProIect <ise and Shine. 'hereFs a lot of talk abo)t &ind control and pop)lation control. G'hey 1ant to change the che&istry of the entire at&osphereK ?snFt 1eather forecasting inacc)rate beca)se there+s no 1ay they can kno1 all of the 2ariablesKG G'hat 1as the arg)&ent p)t o)t at the t)rn of the cent)ry against geo-engineering.G G@o on-G #lliot prodded hi&.G %)rtis slapped his hands on the ar&s of his chair. =e felt that %)rtis 1as correct. 'hese scientists 1anted to p)&p che&icals into the )pper at&osphere abo2e the le2el of the greenho)se gases.G G'heyFre doing &ore than that. G%ory Jations &entioned that to &e onceH =e said *artin <oss 1as gi2ing the scientists on the base fits beca)se he kept interfering 1ith an i&portant proIect of theirs. After the t)rn of the cent)ry.Gand ? had tro)ble &aking any sense o)t of those technical papers.one of the &ore do1n-to-earth conspiracy b)ffs pointed &e to an ite& in federal b)dget bills that began popping )p abo)t this ti&e.?F& afraid. ?n the late 990s. 'hey planned to )se nonreacti2e s)bstances.G %)rtis fanned the air 1ith one hand as tho)gh he 1as trying to dissipate his o1n odor.b)t 1e ha2e it fro& se2eral different so)rces.that 1o)ld ㉰ӽ be highly reflecti2e.G *adge gasped.arg)ed their &odel 1as safe. 'hey said 1e already changed the at&ospheric che&istry by prod)cing &assi2e a&o)nts of greenho)se gases. G*artin <oss is into so&e kind of rit)alistic sacrifice. G'heyF2e &o2ed on fro& research to i&ple&entation. G'here yo) ha2e it. ?tFs a classified operation called ProIect <ise and Shine.there hasnFt been &)ch &ention of geo-engineering in official circles. B)t the proponents. fe1 of the& good.it appears the good scientists at <idgepoint 1orked o)t a &odel for sol2ing global 1ar&ing by changing the che&istry of o)r at&osphere.scientists fro& <idgepoint p)blished a series of papers on geo-engineering.&ost of 1ho& 1ork right o2er at <idgepoint. 'hey talk abo)t che&trails and electro&agnetic 1a2es and a thing called =AA<P )p in Alaska. GDis&issing &ost of 1hat they say as hog1ash. B)t so&ething like this ProIect <ise and Shine 1o)ld be 2ery i&portant.or at best )ns)bstantiated spec)lation. G'hatFs abo)t it. @reenho)se gases allo1 the S)nFs heat to penetrate the at&osphere and then trap that heat as it reflects fro& the #arthFs s)rface. And Arth)r spoke &ore o)t of astonish&ent than protest.G #lliot tho)ght abo)t all this for a &o&ent. %)rtis f)rro1ed his bro1.s)ch as ato&iEed &etals.G#2erybody in to1n kno1s that-G Arth)r said.and there &ight be a h)ndred reasons 1hy it 1o)ld attract Pier&ontFs interest . ?tFs e2en harder to belie2e than 1hat yo) I)st told )s. G?F& no scientist-G %)rtis allo1ed. G? ha2e so&e infor&ation abo)t *artin <oss. G'heyFre &onitoring global 1ar&ing.G =e pa)sed before dropping the bo&bshell.&yself. 'he idea 1as to reflect the s)nFs heat before it co)ld be trapped by the greenho)se gases.and he 1as not happy abo)t it.G GAhatFs thatKG #lliot had ne2er heard the ter&.&ostly by conspiracy theorists. ProIect <ise and Shine is being directed fro& <idgepoint.G G=old it a &o&ent.scientists here p)blished the res)lts of lab tests that de&onstrated their ideas 1o)ld 1ork.G #lliot 1as str)ggling 1ith this.

And the sit)ation is escalating. 1hen he disappeared. And it fits. Beyond that. And no1 he+s h)nting do1n the 1itnesses. talking abo)t ho1 there 1as no safe place left on this planet and ho1 he 1as sick of playing @od.G %)rtis nodded. Arth)r nodded agree&ent.and itFs safe to say that he+s after Ce2in =o1ell and Bobby Deering. So&e people belie2e he+s )sing genetics research to de2elop an ar&y of s)per-killers. ?tFs one of the &ore credible lines of spec)lation .b)t itFs a safe bet he hasnFt had his fill of bloodshed.G #lliot felt like kids sitting aro)nd a ca&pfire.G Arth)r felt his o1n do)bts slipping a1ay. Jo1 he spoke )p.GAe ha2e it fro& <oger Blain and >oseph Stelling.sharing spooky stories. GDonFt la)gh-G %)rtis 1arned the&.and %)rtis and *adge conc)rred.G ꔐϥ against it. G>)st plain 1eird. Corsi2ic 1as planning on telling I)st 1hat Pier&ont 1as )p to . =e disappeared after he agreed to speak at an international con2ention on genetics in @ene2a.and he has his o1n pri2ate sM)ad that backs hi& all the 1ay. <oss held so&e kind of cere&ony 1hen they e$ec)ted all those people at S1anson %reek.this Dr. GSo 1eFre gonna ha2e to stretch the
. 'hatFs 1ell-doc)&ented. G'hey tie this to the disappearances and )n)s)al deaths of a n)&ber of geneticists aro)nd the 1orld. B)t the 1hole thing fell apart after the US delegate 1ithdre1 fro& the con2ention.one thingFs for s)re-G Arth)r griped.G %)rtis 1eighed so&ething in his &ind 1hile #lliot talked. G(eah. or so they say . 'hey say his inner circle takes part in satanic rit)als to harness po1er and do&inate the 1orld.G G*aybe it is. *artin <oss is behind the rash of &)rders 1eF2e had in the last co)ple years. GAe donFt kno1 ho1 bad it 1o)ld be if they 1erenFt doing it. GJo1 1eFre )p against FrankensteinFs *onsterHG *adge Ioined hi& in a ner2o)s ch)ckle.b)t their stories &atch0 they belie2e it. G? left this o)t beca)se ? didnFt lend it &)ch credibility.G GSo 1hat do yo) 1ant to do abo)t itKG Arth)r asked.a n)&ber of corporations 1ere Any1ay.G %)rtis co)ntered. G'hereFs no 1ay 1e can to)ch <oss thro)gh the syste&-G #lliot stated.if they+re behind that. =eFs po1erf)l and 1ell-connected. =e &)rdered o2er fifty people o)tside of to1n. tho)gh so&e of it does get farfetched. 'here are 1hole 1ebsites and chat gro)ps dedicated to researching it.G Arth)rFs eyes opened 1ide.G G(o) ha2enFt heard the half of it-G %)rtis said.fore&ost Pier&ont ?nd)stries. One of the first to disappear 1orked for Pier&ont. =e &ade so&e re&arks right before he 2anished .G G@reatHG Arth)r M)ipped. ? didnFt &ention it before beca)se it didnFt see& as rele2ant. 'here are stories floating aro)nd the internet that @regory Pier&ont is the leader of so&e black &agic c)lt. GAll ?F& concerned abo)t at the &o&ent is 1hatFs happening in this to1n and o)t on that base. G'hereFs all kinds of 1eird stories floating aro)nd abo)t Pier&ont. ?tFs incredible. GAell.G G'his is 1eird. GDo yo) think thatFs got anything to do 1ith 1hatFs happening to the skyKG GProbably.1e ha2e no cl)e 1hat he intends to do ne$t. =e has the *arks fa&ily. G? re&e&ber thatH 'hey 1ere s)pposed to dra1 )p a protocol for ethical genetic e$peri&entation. Ae got a bloodthirsty n)t 1hoFs &)rdering people as a part of so&e dark rit)al.Git ainFt &akin+ any difference 1ith global 1ar&ing.G G%oncerning this <ise and Shine thing-G *adge said.

G #lliot had in &ind to call the sheriff of the tribal police o2er at the 'ohono OFodha& Jation to see abo)t transferring <oger Blain to their c)stody. Ae canFt fight =S like that.G G'heyFre too s)re of the&sel2es.Q GSo ? sho)ld go ho&e and let yo) boys ha2e all the f)nK Jo.G %)rtis agreed.to take the heat off those kids and direct their attention this 1ay. G? belie2e ?Fll clock in to&orro1 &orning at 6A*.G G(o) &ean <oger BlainK ?s he going along 1ith thisKG G=e doesnFt ha2e &)ch choice. GSo 1hatFs yo)r planKG Arth)r reiterated.G *adge had not taken a day off for as long as #lliot had kno1n her. ?tFs al&ost like they 1ant e2eryone to kno1. G?t+s 1ay too blatant. 'heyFre )sed to hiding behind =o&eland Sec)rity and the 'errorist Acts. Jo1. G'heyFre too po1erf)l.G GJo1.ho1 abo)t takinF a 1eekFs paid 2acationstarting to&orro1KG G?F& sa2ing )p &y 2acation ti&e for so&ething special. GAe gotta do so&ething-G Arth)r said.thatFs another thing altogether. GOkay.? ha2e to call in a fe1 fa2ors and 1ork on so&e people.*adge. And they arenFt )sed to organiEed resistance.G G=eFs right.and then clai& they 1ere all terrorists.G She dis&issed his concern. ? canFt ask yo) to do that. 'hey can b)st in and take a fa&ily. GAhy donFt yo) head ho&e. And ?Fll tell yo) 1hat/ yo)F2e got a lot of 2acation ti&e b)ilt )p.and try to get the *arksF o)t of there. Finallyhe intended to call %olonel Jations again and ha2e a long talk 1ith the &an.? 1ant yo) o)t of it. G'he first thing 1eF2e got to do is take the heat off those boys.G GDonFt 1orry abo)t &e.thank yo)HG *adge settled back in her seat 1ith her ar&s crossed.G GAll theyF2e got to do is co&e in here and de&and that 1e t)rn <oger o2er.G Arth)r criticiEed.G G'his co)ld get dangero)s. =e 1o)ld then contact the sheriffs at AIo and @ila Bend to so)nd the& o)t for possible back)p.Q G? donFt kno1. #lliot 1as
.theyFll take )s in for aiding terrorists. ?t &ight &ean the end of o)r careers. Aith a little l)ck.1ho 1o)ld be ne$tK =eFs already taken the *arks fa&ily.G #lliot t)rned to *adge. G?f 1e t)rned o)r backs. 'he &ain reason theyFre after the boys is beca)se Ste1art *arks 1as talking.bo)nds of o)r a)thority .G GDo yo) ha2e a planKG Arth)r asked.G =e looked fro& %)rtis to Arth)r.G G'his is I)st a feint.donFt look at &e-G %)rtis piped )p.1eFll be preparing to take the fight directly to the base. ?f 1e try to resist. <oger 1onFt e2en be here.they+d lose interest in those boys real Ԁ fast. GSort of. B)t first. G(o) kno1 ?F& al1ays ready to bend the r)les. ?n the &eanti&e. &aybe step o)tside it altogether.b)t if thereFs tro)ble here. =e 1o)ld call hi& on his personal cell phone to circ)&2ent the lockdo1n on the base.if they fo)nd o)t 1e had a 1itness in o)r c)stody 1ho 1as 1illing to testify abo)t 1hat happened o)t at S1anson %reek.#lliot. B)t if an entire police depart&ent stands )p against the&.I)st as )s)al.1eFll be able to hit the& fro& the inside before they e2en kno1 it.

e2ents inter2ened to pre2ent hi& fro& &aking any of those calls.his plan &ight ha2e a chance.
. De1is Osborne called in to report 1hat 1as happening at Do2eland *anor.he co)ld s1ing hi& aro)nd to his side.heading for the trailer park.and his call sent #lliot and Arth)r scra&bling o)t of the station and into the patrol car.ho1e2er.s)re that. Aith %olonel Jations aiding fro& 1ithin the base.gi2en a chance to talk 1ith %ory. Before they finished the &eeting.
.

Aside fro& being the person 1ho called in and alerted the& to the sit)ation here. *ore i&portantly. G'his ProIect <ise and Shine-G Arth)r said. Dark1ater. Joticing that #lliot 1as st)dying the 1ork on the roof as they approached.G G? hope this 1asnFt intended for &e. '1o &en 1ere on the roof o2er the porch. GJo-G he ans1ered.G G? 1ant to talk to <ay.1orking 1ith the lights. G(o) think they did that to the skyKG G? donFt kno1.G #lliot recogniEed De1is Osborne on the roof. %hristian f)nda&entalists.stringing )p a syste& of car headlights. So&e 1ere stacking )p cratesold b)rea)s and other assorted 1hatnot to b)ild another barricade in front of the porch. 'he defensi2e 1all had been b)ilt along the side of the c)l2ert.G G?f it is. ProIect <ise and Shine.
.G GArth)r. *)rder.b)t not fro& yo).the place 1as b)stling 1ith acti2ity. *el *c%ready and se2eral other &en Ԁ stepped aro)nd the barricade to &eet the& as they cli&bed o)t of the patrol car.and the entry1ay to the trailer park. Anything happens at night.G GAhere+s yo)r paKG #lliot asked.fortifying the front yard and the entrance to the trailer park. =e really needed to talk to %olonel Jations. 'hat &ight be part of it.a sharpshooter.G De1is pa)sed fro& his 1ork and looked do1n at the sheriff. Arth)r p)lled off the road in front of the *c%readyFs dri2e1ay.the *c%ready ho)se and yard 1ere lit )p.1eFll light this place )p like the &iddle of the day. *ost of the &en 1ere ar&edand &any of the 1o&en as 1ell.lining the road and blocking the *c%readyFs dri2e1ay and the entry1ay to the trailer park. #lliot 1as i&pressed.and his friend BobbyK Are they hereKG G? only 1ish ? kne1 1here they 1ere. ?Fll take yo) to hi&.#lliot called )p.he 1as a 2eteran of the ?raM Aar andas #lliot recalled. ?t 1as the only spot 1here he co)ld park off the road 1itho)t falling into the c)l2ert. Ae been e$pectin+ yo). 'hey had parked cars side1ays to blockade the dri2e1ay. Up ahead.De1is 1as also a 2ol)nteer dep)ty and firefighter.G A gro)p of people 1ere 1orking aro)nd the porch. G=eFs in the ho)se.Q GAhat abo)t yo)r nephe1.as 1ell. =o&eland Sec)rity. *ass sacrifice.Ce2in. As they approached the *c%ready ho)se. DU&onic rit)als. GAhatK AhoKG 'hey 1ere approaching Do2eland *anor. Stopping in front of the ho)se.Q *el and the other &en ch)ckled. *artin <oss.tho)gh he 1as not a little rattled that the *c%readyFs and the people of Do2eland *anor 1ere preparing to do battle.G 'here 1as so&ething there0 a connection #lliot co)ld not M)ite &ake.they scre1ed )p big ti&e 1hen they let <oss b)lly his 1ay onto their base.*el said 1ith an ele&ent of pride.GDe1HG G(es. G=ello. GAeFre ready for tro)ble.1hich 1o)ld &ake it diffic)lt for anyone to si&ply crash the 1all.)2& The "est =aid Plans G(o) think theyFre really behind itKG Arth)r interr)pted his re2erie.GBy the ti&e 1eFre done. =e 1o)ld be a good &an to ha2e aro)nd.they scre1ed )p big ti&e.1eFll ha2e this 1hole yard 1ired. 'hey had b)ilt 1alls of )sed tires and other I)nk.Q G=eFs probably inside too. People 1ere b)sy at 1ork.Sheriff.

G? need yo) on acti2e d)ty; Soon as yo)Fre done )p there- find &e and ?Fll fill yo) in;G G(es- sir;G De1is ans1ered; As he led the& into the ho)se- *el gr)&bled so&ething abo)t losing one of their best shots; #lliot said nothing- hoping they 1o)ld a2oid a confrontation here; Ahile their preparations 1ere i&pressi2e- they did not stand a chance against trained and eM)ipped troopers; 'he li2ing roo& 1as a riot of children and &others- playing board ga&es- reading storybooks- sipping Cool-Aid and eating popcorn; A prof)sion of sleeping bags told of a &assi2e sl)&ber party- all )nder the direction of DiEa Do)- Diane *c%ready- and De1+s 1ife Cate; DiEa Do) greeted #lliot; G=ello- Sheriff- Arth)r-G she said as she settled an arg)&ent bet1een >)ne and another tyke- 1ho 1ere fighting o2er b)ilding blocks; GDiEa Do);G 'he sheriff nodded; =e 1as Iostled by *ichael and another boy as they 1ent racing by; 'he boys )pset the to1er of blocks >)ne and her little friend 1ere 1orking on- e2oking a fit of tears fro& both tykes; G*ichaelHG DiEa Do) called after hi& in a harsh 2oice; GJo r)nning in the ho)seHG G?t looks like yo)F2e got yo)r hands f)ll;Q DiEa Do) ga2e hi& a harassed- isnFt that ob2io)s nod; G'hankf)lly- 1eFre gonna &o2e the& all )pstairs soon and p)t the& to bed;G GDad in the kitchenKG *el asked; G=e 1as a &in)te ago-G DiEa Do) said as she stooped do1n to console the t1o little girls and help res)rrect their to1er; , *el led #lliot and Arth)r thro)gh a hall1ay and into the kitchen; Vach *c%ready and #d %ollins 1ere seated at the table- scattered across 1hich 1as a &otor of so&e sortall in pieces; %harles Deering sat in another chair p)lled o2er beside the kitchen co)nterhis head pillo1ed in one crooked ar& on the co)nter- passed o)t; 'he kitchen s&elled of a &i$t)re of &achine oil- barbeM)ed chicken and popcorn; G#2enin+- Sheriff;G Vach slid back his chair and stood )p to greet the&; #d nodded at the& fro& 1here he sat- as he scr)bbed at a spark pl)g 1ith a s&all br)sh; GAeFre trying to get this generator r)nning-G Vach e$plained; G'his is M)ite a party yo)F2e got here;G #lliot obser2ed; G=o1 co&e 1e 1erenFt in2itedKG Vach cleaned off his hands on an old rag; G? g)ess ? didnFt ha2e ti&e to send o)t proper in2itations;G G(o) donFt really think yo)Fre gonna hold off the air force 1ith so&e old tires and car headlights; Jo1 do yo)KG G'hey ain+t gonna p)sh )s aro)nd;G G?f *artin <oss is calling the shots- he 1onFt be p)t off by the possibility of a little bloodshed;G G*aybe;G Vach siEed hi& )p; GB)t 1e got to defend o)r ho&es;G #lliot had neither the ti&e nor the inclination to play ga&es; GDook- ? had a long talk 1ith >oseph Stelling; =e told )s all abo)t his dealings 1ith *artin <oss; AeF2e got <oger Blain in c)stody; =e attacked his father-in-la1 and stole a tr)ck fro& SBC; Ahen 1e ca)ght )p 1ith hi&- he 1as assa)lting his 1ife; After 1e arrested hi&- he told )s all

+3& First 0and Account 'hey follo1ed Vach o)t the back door and thro)gh the yard; 'here 1ere people 1orking in back as 1ell- &ostly sca2enging things for the barricade; So&e of the &en 1ere e$tracting headlights fro& the I)nked cars; %hloe Je1castle stood by the open door at the side of the garage- s&oking a cigarette; %hloe had stayed behind 1hen her parents &o2ed o)t of =eater- so she co)ld be aro)nd <ay; 'he t1o had an on again off again affair since they 1ere teenagers; *ore recently- she had been spending ti&e 1ith <ay+s brother *el- tho)gh the sheriff and &ost other folks tho)ght her intention 1as to &ake <ay Iealo)s; %hloe st)bbed o)t the cigarette and thre1 it a1ay as they approached; 'ho)gh she t)rned to hide her face- #lliot co)ld tell she had been crying; ODa&n it- %hloeH ? ain+t got ti&e for this;Q <ay appeared in the door1ayflashlight in hand; =e checked his anger at sight of the sheriff and Arth)r; O<ay-Q Vach said- Othe sheriff 1ants to ha2e a talk 1ith )s- o2er at the trailer;Q <ay ca)ght his breath; =e al&ost bolted back into the darkness of the garage; B)tch appeared behind hi&; G'he sheriff kno1s 1hatFs goinF on;Q Vach told the&; O=e 1ants yo) to tell hi& abo)t *onday night; =e pro&ised &e he ainFt after any of )s;G G? 1ant *artin <oss- thatFs all;G #lliot ass)red hi&; <ay see&ed to blanche at that na&e; G(o) &ight as 1ell 1ant the &oon;G G? think 1e can tr)st hi&-G Vach told his son; G?f he can get <oss- so &)ch the better for )s; Jo1 gi&&e that flashlight and co&e on; B)tch- yo) keep lookin+;Q Vach took the flashlight and led the 䱰 1ay Ԁ past the garage and thro)gh the I)nkyardto 1here the SBC trailer 1as parked by the old school b)s; %hloe 1ent 1ith the&staying close to <ay- tho)gh not too close; 'he b)llet-ridden sides of the trailer had been dis&antled; All that re&ained 1as the bed- the 1heels- and the Iack; GAell here it is- Sheriff; AinFt &)ch left;G GDet &e see that light;G #lliot fo)ght the anger that rose inside as he regarded the destr)ction of e2idence; =e re&inded hi&self that he co)ld not ha2e )sed this trailer in co)rt any1ay; And it 1as do)btf)l an e$a&ination of the trailer 1o)ld t)rn )p anything he did not already kno1; B)t a part of hi& felt that if old &an Stelling and the *c%readyFs had not been so intent on obstr)cting I)stice- the *arks fa&ily &ay not ha2e been abd)cted- %onnie Blain &ight not be in the hospital- Ce2in =o1ell and Bobby Deering &ight not be &issing- and all of these people 1o)ld be sitting at ho&e right no1 instead of preparing for a battle #lliot hoped to pre2ent; Vach handed hi& the flashlight; #lliot e$a&ined the &etal sea& along the edge of the bed; ?t did not take hi& long to find 1hat he 1as looking for; G'hereFs blood along the sea&-G he pointed o)t to Arth)r; GOf co)rse there is-G Vach said as Arth)r looked 1here #lliot directed hi&; GDa&n thing 1as s1i&&ing in blood 1hen they bro)ght it here; ? had the& hose it do1nb)t ?F& s)re yo) can still find traces;G G? 1ish to hell yo)Fd called )s instead of trying to co2er )p the 1hole thing;G #lliot lost his te&per; G'o 1hat endK (o) gonna &arch o)t to the base and arrest *artin <ossK Shit fire#lliotH 'his ainFt o)r ga&e; Ae did 1hat 1e had to do to keep <oss off o)r backsHG

the &)rders 1ere shocking eno)gh. G?t see&ed to go on fore2er. B)t that shot changed e2erything. Ahate2er it 1as.his &en standinF stiff 1ith their 1eapons ai&ed. One of his &en reached o)t to steady hi&. ?t 1as I)st 1rong.calling o)t so&ething abo)t BeelEeb)b. the right 1ord. ? ainFt ne2er been scared of another h)&an being. it 1asPG <ay so)ght. =e started o)t 1ith his ar&s crossed o2er his chest and his head do1n.yo) I)st kne1 it 1as profane.and then to the gro)nd 1hen he co)ld not 1atch any&ore.G G?f ?+d a kno1n Ce2in and his friends sa1 1hat happened. %hildren 1ere crying.1e all kne1 I)st ho1 serio)s it 1as. (o) co)ld tell that. ? kno1 ? did.? think e2eryone tho)ght 1e &ight be able to get o)t of this 1itho)t bloodshed. 'he g)nfire had ended by then. =e ran to1ard the tailgate sho)ting so&ethinF in Spanish abo)t ho1 1eFd all gone &ad. =e finished his chant in a lo)d 2oice. Anyone fro& the base sho1s )p.yo) contact &e i&&ediately.b)t that &an terrifies &e. ?t so)nded like a different lang)age.yo) hold yo)r breath )ntil ? get here. ?t 1as hard to see0 at first ? tho)ght it 1as a trick of &y eyes. Jo1-G he directed his attention to <ay.<ay told of the &assacre. 'hatFs 1hat it 1asH Ahate2er he 1as sayinF. ? co)ldnFt &ake o)t 1hat he 1as saying. B)t it got brighter as ? 1atched. yo)nger al&ost.b)t they 1erenFt nothinF co&pared to 1hat <oss did. G? sa1 sort of a glo1 aro)nd hi&. =is 2oice penetrated right thro)gh &e.and then it absorbed into hi&. One of the &en broke. ?t got )nder yo)r skin. ?t p)t &e in &ind of one a the& big cathedrals 1here the priest says &ass in Datin. ? d)nno .Gtell &e e2erything that happened *onday night.<ay had kept his eyes on *artin <oss. GAt that &o&ent. GJo &ore secrets. One of *artinFs &en pl)gged hi& thro)gh the forehead.G G>es)sHG De1 Osborne e$clai&ed.b)t <oss shook hi& off. ? kno1 it 1asnFt Spanish.it 1as creepy.b)t ? co)ldnFt &ake it o)t abo2e the g)ns.
.e$cept that 1hen the shooting 1as going on1hile <oger BlainFs attention had been ri2eted to the 2icti&s.GAnd no1 yo)r grandson is r)nning for his life. G'ry )s.<oss chantinF like that. All those people kne1 their li2es 1ere o2er.G Standing in the dark I)nkyard.stronger . <oss 1as sho)ting.G <ay took a deep breath and 1ent on 1ith his tale.and so 1itnessed a different sort of horror. G*artin <oss chanted as his &en trained their g)ns on the *e$icans.e2en tho)gh &y ears 1ere ringing. =e thre1 open his ar&s and his &en opened fire. <oss let o)t a gasp and st)&bled.and 1o&en too.beside the trailer bed that had ser2ed as a stage for &)rder. And yo)Fre preparing for a fight yo) ha2e no chance of 1inning. =e looked like a &an 1ho st)ck his finger in an electric socket.G Jeither of Vach nor <ay tried to arg)e 1ith hi&. G<oss raised his 2oice. G(o)Fre not going to belie2e &e-G he faltered. *ost of his story 2aried little fro& 1hat <oger Blain and >oseph Stelling had already reco)nted.? 1o)ld a played this a lot differentHG G?f yo) 1ant to ha2e any chance of seeing Ce2in again. Only there 1as nothing holy abo)t 1hat he 1as sayinF.then yo) better 1ork 1ith &e instead of against &e. ?Fll tell ya. Sent hi& back into the ar&s of the &en behind hi&. =e so)nded different.Gprofane. After they didnFt start shooting right a1ay. ?f anything happens. GAeF2e already heard a lot of )nbelie2able things today-G #lliot said.the rest of )s holdinF o)r breath.

G Vach took co&&and as he ca)ght his breath. (o) probably 1onFt be back here again before to&orro1 night. =er story 1ill take )s back a fe1 years.G <ay barked at a co)ple of other &en as he ran back along the dri2e1ay to 1here his fo)r-1heel dri2e tr)ck 1as parked.as the entire 1orld fell o2er the precipice of &adness and despair. ?t is ti&e to introd)ce one of the &ain characters of o)r history.b)sy clear thro)gh to&orro1. 'he acco)nt is heart rending.
.and ? 1ill tell it to yo) as she . Jone of the& tho)ght this fire 1as a coincidence. Ahat they didnFt kno1 1as that the fire 1o)ld be follo1ed by a series of )nrelated b)rglaries that 1o)ld keep the& b)sy all night.and that 1o)ld c)l&inate in the ar&ed robbery of the %hase *anhattan Bank after it opened at 9A* the ne$t &orning. B)t her story is her o1n. GP)ll those cars o)t of the 1ay so ? can get &y tr)ck thro)gh.and by the ti&e it is finished1e 1ill ha2e a &)ch better )nderstanding of 1hat transpired that night in the desert by the dry g)lch of S1anson %reek.they 1ere all s)re the fire 1as deliberate. G%o&e on.and that on the &orro1 the 1hole to1n 1o)ld er)pt. told it to &e. #2en if no e2idence 1as fo)nd to s)pport the concl)sion.G G'hen ? better tell CateHG De1 ran for the ho)se. And they kne1 1ho started it. Jor did they kno1 e2ents 1ere I)st heating )p. 'ires sM)ealed as he t)rned aro)nd and headed for the 1areho)se.to her yo)th in *e$ico. Jo1 1e &)st lea2e the sheriff and the to1n of =eater for a 1hile. GDetFs get these cars &o2edHG Arth)r t)rned on the siren and peeled o)t.

Jor had she e2en once felt the need to relie2e herself since she first fo)nd herself here.
.falling and then p)lling herself a fe1 feet &ore before she passed o)t.she and her )nborn child 1o)ld ha2e b)rned as 1ell.and so any of the b)llets that &ay ha2e hit her in the belly 1ere ca)ght by one of the people in front of her.it 1as real.she 1as thankf)l.i&agining all this. Se2eral ti&es she felt a presence entering the earthen h)t or ho2ering near her.yet possessing a 1isdo& beyond all h)&an ken. And thinking that if she had gi2en in and re&ained lying there. ?t co)ld rela$ its presence )ntil it def)sed and &erged into the earthen 1alls and floor.&any of the& still ali2e.the gro)nd beneath her.only to 1ake )p sated.yet there 1as ne2er anyone 1ith her 1hen she a1oke. (et. ?t frightened her nearly to paralysis. 'he earthen 1alls. 㚀Ԁ *aybe she 1as delirio)s. 'o her astonish&ent. =a2ing no idea 1here she 1as or ho1 she got there.&ost of all the baby &o2ing in her belly. B)t this 1as no gra2e. She passed in and o)t of conscio)sness often. ?t 1as concerned for her and her baby. ?t 1as &ore like a 1ild ani&al. <eally. =er baby see&ed to be doing fine.she landed near the edge of the pile on her botto&.no &atter ho1 &)ch she i&plored it. She tried to get )p. 'he sense of it 1as so palpable she co)ld point to its location and follo1 its &o2e&ent.she reached o)t to to)ch it.she felt the presence coalesce beside her. Ahoe2er bro)ght her here and cared for her.so&eho1 the presence &anaged to reass)re her 1itho)t 1ords or gest)res. Ahen they tossed her in the g)lly. 'ho)gh it see&ed alien to her.*aria started to panic. 'he only sign that anyone 1as attending to her 1as a pack of &)d and herbs drying on her sho)lder. #2ery no1 and then she 1as reass)red to feel it &o2ing inside of her. ?t 1as silent.she re&e&bered st)&bling a1ay fro& her hiding place. (et she fo)nd no e2idence of food or 1ater in the earthen h)t. 'he presence felt &ore bene2olent than &ale2olent.1hen it 1as close. Dastly.it also see&ed to be att)ned to its en2iron&ent.dehydrated by the s)n and the heat.and not a little c)rio)s.Part Si$ — South o the "order
+%& 6n an #arth Mound Found *aria co)ld re&e&ber cra1ling a1ay fro& that pile of bodies.she 1as here. Ahate2er it 1as. She hid along the edge of the ra2ine. She re&e&bered the horror of 1atching those people b)rn.dying.tho)gh a co)ple of ti&es she tho)ght she heard it 1hispering so&ething indistinct.fearf)l they 1o)ld notice her. 'he only b)llet that reached her passed thro)gh her right sho)lder. Perhaps she 1as lying on the desert gro)nd. So&eti&es she fell asleep h)ngry and thirsty.b)t felt nothing.b)t at least the baby 1as spared. She fo)ght against the pain to re&ain conscio)s and stay on her feet.the presence 1as not threatening. She 1as 2ery l)cky all the tra)&a she s)ffered had not ca)sed her to lose the child.she tho)ght she had been resc)ed by ?ndians. 'ho)gh she kne1 not 1here she 1as nor ho1 she had gotten there.1renching her sho)lder and leg in the atte&pt. She had been in the 2ery back of the tr)ck.1ith her left leg folded )nder her. All of this 1as real. 'he first ti&e she felt it 1as after she regained conscio)sness to find herself in this pitch dark h)t.it didnFt feel h)&an at all.1here yo) spent the rest of eternity. ?t 1as a Iarring blo1. (o) 1ent into a dark earthen gra2e. Or &aybe she 1as dead and this 1as 1hat happened after yo) died. Once. At first.the pain in her sho)lder and leg. Jor 1o)ld it talk to her. Ahen she a1oke ne$t.and she 1as certain it 1as no del)sion.

She did 1onder 1ho 1as &inistering to her in her sleep. Ahen she tried to talk to itthe only response 1as that sa&e ha)nting.1atching o2er her. As it played.ho1 she had gotten there.and the days before she chose to &ake the Io)rney across the border.she had co&e to do)bt her earlier e$periences as the i&aginings of a distra)ght and tra)&atiEed &ind.)ntil she 1as l)lled back to sleep. She 1ondered 1here she 1as.her hand fo)nd only e&pty air.1hich l)lled her back to sleep. After that. 'he atte&pt see&ed to dra1 a&)se&ent fro& her )ns)bstantiated host. She ceased trying to get )p.tr)sting that she 1as being cared for and n)rsed back to health. By then. =er &ind 1anted to d1ell on the horrific e2ents that res)lted in her inI)ries.she 1o)ld think abo)t her past and the e2ents leading )p to her present sit)ation.tender &elody in her head.the presence 1as beside her.she rela$ed and the pain di&inished.and 1ho 1as caring for her. 'he second ti&e she a1oke. 'o escape fro& the terror of that night. Ahen she tired of these M)estions.
佀Ԁ
.she 1o)ld cast herself back into her childhood. Ahen she tried to reach o)t and to)ch it.*aria heard a soothing.enchanted &elody playing in her head s)ch as she had ne2er heard before.it 1as a long ti&e before she felt the presence again.

the yo)ngest1as se2en years yo)nger than *aria. *aria 1o)ld ne2er forget the look in her fatherFs eyes.and not e2en no1. >)an Senior landed a blo1 that sent the boy spra1ling on the floor.see&ing to take a second look at her.he sho)ted at the rest of the&GW:a&osHG *aria and the boys hesitated )ntil D)cinda told the&. 'hen he leered at her and grabbed her by the ar&.ho1e2er. She told *aria a 1o&an 1as not safe in the border퍠 to1n of Jogales. =e stayed his hand. OWP)taHQ =e c)rsed her for standing )p to hi&. D)cinda 1as la)ghing at the& as she changed little PepitoFs diaper.1hen she 1as not at the factory. After D)cinda. Ahen she 2ent)red o)t.+)& =i e with Father She 1as one of fi2e children born to >)an and @abriela DiaE. 'he eldest 1as her sister D)cinda.he 1o)ld rage on the children at the slightest pro2ocation.collided 1ith hi&.dra1ing back a hand to hit her.Petro.and had taken to drinking as a res)lt.&aking the&sel2es diEEy.follo1ed by three yo)nger brothers.G@o ne$t doorHG
.lea2ing her h)sband at ho&e 1ith the children.a boy and a girl.G?t is ti&e yo) learned a 1o&anFs d)ties. OWPoco bastardHQ 'heir dr)nken father ad2anced on the& as *aria held her crying brother. 'he e&ployers did not 1ant &en0 they fo)nd 1o&en to be a &)ch &ore co&pliant and ind)strio)s 1orkforce. And she Ԇ 1arned her sister not to 2ent)re o)t alone. Ahen little Pepito 1as a year old.he said.she 1as too e$ha)sted to do anything b)t sleep.there had been t1o other children.1here they li2ed. 'his left the children in the care of their oldest sisterD)cinda. And. ?t really 1as not his fa)lt. She 1as blosso&ing into a bea)tif)l yo)ng lady. She certainly had no energy left to fight back against her h)sband1ho 1o)ld gro1 2iolent abo)t her lack of affection.G D)cinda str)ggled to break free of hi& and he ripped her dress so she had to hold it )p to keep her breasts co2ered.D)cinda 1as fo)rteen.ne2er to be seen again. And )pon his 1ife as 1ell.looking )p at her father. Ahen >)an 1as ho&e. D)cinda did not flinch.1as caref)l not to lea2e their one roo& shack by herself. >)an Senior co)ld not hold a Iob. She stood there resol)tely.or 1ent 1ith the neighbors. And so @abriela 1orked long shifts for lo1 pay. Dooking her )p and do1n.)nable to discri&inate bet1een a h)&an being and an obIect for f)lfilling his desires. *aria h)rried to his side to co&fort hi&.>)an.she took the other children 1ith her. 'he boys.crying. Jot long after PepitoFs birth.and Pepito. Pepito.certainly not as she got older. Ahen she 1as at ho&e. As he p)shed D)cinda to1ard the sleeping cots.*aria.and e2en the &en.si$ years her senior.neither of 1hich s)r2i2ed their infancy. 'hen there 1as she. One day >)an st)&bled into their ho2el 1hile *aria and her brothers 1ere taking t)rns spinning in circles.1ere already 2ying for her attention. =e spent &ost of the day at the bars 1ith his friendsdrinking )p his 1ifeFs paycheck. ?t 1as the look of p)re l)st. >)an >)nior 1as taking a t)rn 1hen his father entered and)nable to control hi&self.*aria Abril DiaE.their father disappeared. @abriela 1orked si$teen ho)r shifts . so&eti&es t1enty ho)r shifts.as she gre1 older. D)cinda. D)cinda interposed herself bet1een the&.

SeXora :alencia told SeXor Ortega.
.picked hi& )p. 'hey heard so)nds of str)ggle. 'hen Pepito began to ho1l as he ne2er had before. D)cinda had not been physically 2iolated. Dittle Pepito lay beside the& 1ailing.fro& 1hich SeXor Ortega 1as already e&erging follo1ed by his children.hastened to follo1 SeXora :alencia. Another neighbor. #2eryone 1as standing in a circle aro)nd >)an.lea2ing their father 1ith D)cinda and little Pepito. 'hey 1ere both crying.she askedGY#stZs bienKQ Are yo) alrightK GSi-G D)cinda dressed as M)ickly as possible and then she and her sister follo1ed SeXor a :alencia o)t of the shack. =e said they co)ld re&o2e the binding by nightfall. 'he three of the& stood o)tside. *aria co)ld not take any &ore. A doctor set his ar& and bo)nd it to his side to keep hi& fro& )sing it for a 1hile. She ran to the neighboring h)t. Back at ho&e.1ho 1as taking the crying baby to the clinic.SeXora :alencia.b)ndled hi& and.G 'his enraged SeXor Ortega so &)ch he stepped to1ard >)an intending to throttle hi&.and soon *aria and the boys Ioined the& as 1ell. *aria helped D)cinda. Seeing little Pepito.G? think he broke the babyFs ar&. >)an. Dooking at D)cinda. OPadre ha ido locoH WBorracho locoHQ Father has gone craEyH %raEy dr)nkH SeXor Ortega b)rst thro)gh their door to find >)an accosting D)cinda on the cots. At the clinic. GAhy donFt yo) do yo)r fa&ily a fa2or and I)st disappear.saying o2er and o2er again that she 1as sorry.G And 1ith that.sobbing in disgrace.he herded his fa&ily back into their shack.then spit on hi&.SeXor Ortega had hi& by the hair and dragged hi& back1ards o)t of the shack.his ar& t1isted into an i&possible angle.being caref)l of his inI)red ar&. 'hen she sat do1n by D)cinda and h)gged her da)ghter.cro)ching on the gro)nd 1ith his eyes cast do1n and sobbing &iserably퍠Ԇ Ortega stopped and regarded hi& 1ith cringed fro& SeXor OrtegaFs ad2ance. SeXor Ortega 1as a good &an.1ho 1as crying as she 1rapped a blanket aro)nd her nakedness.'hey ran o)t of the shack.b)t she 1as an e&otional 1reck.ca&e in to help.looking at the door of their shack. *aria. Ahen she entered. Other neighbors 1ere co&ing o)t of their shacks as 1ell. 'he cro1d broke )p. =e fl)ng hi& to the gro)nd o)tside and told hi& off 1hile the other neighbors gathered aro)nd. SeXor disg)st.she looked in on Pepito.I)st dislocated.there 1as no sign of their father.1ith her brothers and sister. Before >)an kne1 1hat happened.they fo)nd PepitoFs ar& 1as not broken.she 1ent to hi&. 'heir &other ca&e ho&e a fe1 ho)rs later.o2er1eight and prone to laEinessb)t a good &an nonetheless. GAe ha2e to get hi& to the clinic-G she said. She looked back to see her father still h)ddled on the gro)nd. SeXor Ortega &et her o)tside and told her 1hat happened.1ho 1as sleeping peacef)lly. SeXora :alencia stayed 1ith the& )ntil she had to go to 1ork.

'he &ake-)p 1as gone.b)t the co&pact held a s&all &irror they co)ld )se to see their faces. 'hey 1anted the 2endors. Soon yo)ng folks fro& the to1n 1ere co&ing o)t to Ioin in the festi2ities.they started dating. '1o years her senior퍠Ԇ Da2id 1as the son of a &erchant 1ho sold seafood in the to1n &arket.the 2endors and the patrons.and s)cceeded to so&e e$tent.a &an had been stabbed to death.si$ty percent of 1hate2er 1as fo)nd. 'he &en fro& the shantyto1n tried to police the e2ent. #2eryone 1o)ld co&e o)t to dance and listen to the &)sic. At this ti&e of day. 'hey 1o)ld look for clothes they co)ld )se. Once in a 1hile D)cinda 1o)ld take the& all sca2enging at the city d)&p. Da2id had t1o friends 1ho 2isited the shantyto1n 1ith hi& on Sat)rdays<oberto and *an)el. Dr)g p)shers and hookers &ade an appearance. After D)cinda t)rned se2enteen. Fights broke o)t. ?n ti&e.the free dance attracted tro)ble. ?n short order Sat)rday night dances 1ere set )p at an open area on the edge of shantyto1n. 'he kids had to be 1ary of gangs and dr)gs.the DiaE children only 2isited the d)&p on Aednesday &orning right after s)n)p. And they had first pickings on 'h)rsdays1hich 1as garbage day for &)ch of the city. Ahen D)cinda 1as se2enteen. @abrielaFs Iob. As the Sat)rday dances gre1 in pop)larity.tho)gh it 1as 1orking her to death.the dr)g dealers and the hookers to pay the& for protection. One ti&e the girls fo)nd a cos&etic co&pact. Dos Scorpions charged a fee for anyone 1ho sca2enged in the d)&p. 'hey treas)red this &irrorpartic)larly D)cinda. <oberto 1o)ld bring his g)itar and *an)el 1o)ld bring his accordion. As it gre1.++& =ucinda 'hey ne2er sa1 their father again.&ostly bean tortillas or fried tortillas s1eetened 1ith s)gar and cinna&on. Dife i&pro2ed.and )s)ally not eno)gh of either to fill the&. 'heir diet consisted of beans and tortillas.and D)cinda 1as al1ays able to s1eet talk the boys o)t of taking their tithe. As a conseM)ence.they 1ere Ioined by a second g)itarist and a fiddler.)ntil a gang called Dos %onM)istadors &o2ed in to take o2er the 1hole thing. Fro& the ti&e D)cinda 1as si$teen.and bigger presents for D)cinda. 'hey did not go to the d)&p 2ery often beca)se it 1as the territory of a 2iolent gang. 'he 2enders split their proceeds 1ith the &)sicians and e2eryone 1as happy .Dos Scorpions. One Sat)rday a fight broke o)t bet1een the gang.and they 1o)ld serenade D)cinda and the entire neighborhood.the d)&p 1as g)arded by a co)ple of yo)ng boys not &)ch older than *aria.and Da2id began t)rning )p at the DiaE shack 1ith little presents for SeXora DiaE and the children.the ine2itable happened/ she fell in lo2e.their co&plaint 1as taken )p by se2eral caf[s and bars as 1ell. A fe1 enterprising people fro& the shacks began offering food.1ho kept it on her at all ti&es and 1as al1ays )sing it to &ake s)re her face 1as not dirty and her hair 1as 1ell-kept. =er para&o)r 1as a nice eno)gh yo)ng &an na&ed Da2id *orales.fish and shri&p sn)ck into the DiaE &en) 1ith increasing reg)larity. 'he police sho1ed )p-
. By the ti&e the fight 1as o2er. #ach day 1as still a str)ggle.and anything they &ight be able to sell in the &arket. Aithin a &onth.1itho)t hi& aro)nd to rage on the& and drink )p @abrielaFs &eager inco&e.did not pro2ide eno)gh &oney to co2er their needs.the t1o dance halls in to1n began to co&plain that the free dances 1ere h)rting their b)siness. 'he boys 1ere gro1ing )p hard in the shanty to1n. 'he DiaE pickings ne2er a&o)nted to &)ch. for a ti&e.

selling tortillas. 'hey took the &ost l)crati2e offer 1ith one of the dancehalls.and she co)ld look after her yo)nger brothers. ?t 1as a to)gh b)siness. Dittle did she kno1 she 1o)ld ne2er see her &other or her brothers again.as did the idea of &o2ing to a foreign co)ntry.1riting in care of the to1n post office.they 1ere relegated to second class citiEenship. (et *aria d)tif)lly checked at the post office e2ery 1eek. *aria 1as happy for her sister.b)t it 1as his b)siness. D)cinda bade a tearf)l goodbye to her &other. 'hey liked D)cinda and tho)ght she 1o)ld &ake a 1elco&e addition to the fa&ily. SeXor Ortega.yet sad to see her go.assisting D)cinda &ore and &ore o2er the years.1hich D)cinda accepted. D)cinda 1as both entranced and frightened by her fianc[Fs drea&. She 1rote back to her sister.ho1e2er.b)t o2er ti&e the freM)ency of their correspondence di&inished )ntil &any &onths 1o)ld pass bet1een letters.pooled together eno)gh &oney to b)y a p)sh cart and a food license.its 1ealth.
.1ith a narro1 profit &argin bet1een the e$penses and the o2erhead. At first they recei2ed se2eral letters a 1eek. O2er the years she did &anage to stay in to)ch.it 1as ine2itable.1ho 1as one of the 2enders. 'he band recei2ed se2eral offers of e&ploy&ent. =e 1as sick of seafood. Aith 퍠Ԇ a little stretching. =e drea&ed of a better life there.cl)bbing and arresting anyone 1ho got in their 1ay. 'he b)siness 1as tight. Jo1 he had eno)gh so that he and his yo)ng 1ife co)ld i&&igrate to the US.it 1o)ld do the sa&e for Da2id and his gro1ing fa&ily. As for her ne1 role.)sing her li&ited co&&and of the 1ritten lang)age to co&&)nicate the basics of ho1 their li2es 1ent on back in the shanty to1n.she had gro1n into it. 'o her. 'hey closed do1n the dances for good. O2er the years.and its opport)nities. Jo1 he spent his days p)shing the cart aro)nd to1n.her sister and her brothers.they 1ere on their 1ay to a ne1 life north of the border.and it kept his fa&ily o)t of the shantyto1n and the &aM)iladoras.the co)rtship of Da2id *orales and D)cinda DiaE progressed to a &arriage proposal. SeXor and SeXora *orales 1ere happy for their son.they learned ho1 disappointed the yo)ng co)ple 1as by their ne1 life in the United States. *ean1hile. 'he tho)ght of being so far fro& her fa&ily and e2erything 1ith 1hich she 1as fa&iliar scared her.ho1e2er.and had no desire to spend the rest of his life s&elling of fish.*aria 1as no1 al&ost t1el2e.1ith their poor co&&and of the #nglish lang)age. *oreo2er.had other plans. Fro& D)cindaFs letters.she realiEed it 1as a good &atch and she co)ld not stand in the 1ay of lo2e. Da2idFs father intended to &ake Da2id a partner in the seafood b)siness. She &ade pro&ises that one day she 1o)ld send for the& to Ioin her in the US and share in the good life. #2en tho)gh they 1ere legal i&&igrants.and they had bro)ght a little e$tra &oney to a fe1 people.for the& and their children. O2er the years. Of 1hat 1as left o2erthe best 1as bro)ght ho&e and cooked to feed the fa&ily.clai&ing no one had p)rchased licenses for the e2ents or for 2ending food.1here e2eryone spoke another lang)age. ?n the end.he &anaged to sa2e a part of the &eager inco&e his father paid hi&. @abriela 1as initially opposed to the engage&ent beca)se she 1anted D)cinda to stay and look after the other children. Da2id. 'he dances had bro)ght a little Ioy into their other1ise dreary e$istence.SeXor *orales learned to caref)lly gage his &arket so that by the end of the day 2ery little seafood re&ained to be thro1n o)t.ho1e2er. Aithin a 1eek of their 1edding. (et she had gro1n )p hearing tales of the United States.

'his ne1est addition to their fa&ily placed an e$tra strain on their reso)rces. 'hey 1ere e2en able to afford a fe1 l)$)ries.Da2id began drinking. Cno1ing D)cinda 1as looking for a better Iob and a 1ay o)t of the city.and D)cinda 1as loyal to the %h)rch.the cottage 1as ideal for her and her boys.o2er1orked and discri&inated against.the sole priest at the ch)rch.1as born. ?f she co)ld ha2e afforded the t)ition.b)t D)cinda 1as not happy 1ith the school he 1as attending. D)cinda settled in and led a contented life. Aith the n)nFs help. 'he ne$t day he did not report to 1ork at all. 'heir gro1ing co&&and of the #nglish lang)age &ade it possible for the& to do so&ething other than har2est crops. After a &onth. 'hey settled in AriEona.For the first fe1 years. She sa1 nothing b)t tro)ble for Ԇ long.pay the bills.they all took their orders fro& <o&e. 'he pay 1as not &)ch better than &igrant far& 1ork. '1o years later. Despite the differences. She attended ch)rch e2ery S)nday.Pa)l. She got along 2ery 1ell 1ith Father =ayne. At the sa&e ti&e.rising gasoline prices and the crashing econo&y &ade the life of the &igrant far& 1orker nearly i&possible. 'he Iob ca&e 1ith a s&all cottage and offered slightly better pay than she 1as c)rrently recei2ing. Da2id started school.Da2id 2anished. 'heir first son 1as born.D)cinda appliedand 1ithin 1eeks she &ade the &o2e do1n to the cottage in =eater.I)st as her father had. As life beca&e &ore of a str)ggle. 'he Ianitorial co&pany 1as &iserly 1ith pay increases. >ohnFs %h)rch in =eater had passed a1ay.as 1as their c)sto&.D)cinda accepted the fact that he 1as not co&ing back.and D)cinda cleaned an office b)ilding.and the to1n and schools 1ere &)ch better than the neighborhood of Phoeni$ 1here they had been li2ing. her and her sons if they re&ained in the city퍠 for D)cinda 1as a de2o)t %atholic. One day. 'hey 1ere both hired by a Ianitorial co&pany. =e did not &eet her after 1ork so they co)ld 1alk ho&e together.na&ed Da2id after his father. Da2id 1orked in a shopping &all.they 1orked as &igrant far&ers.s)ch as a tele2ision 1ith a cable hook)p. Ahile he 1as not a &ean dr)nk.the &ere fact of his drinking re&inded D)cinda of her father.and pro2ide food and other necessities. She fo)nd the %atholic %h)rches in the US to be &)ch &ore la$ in their ser2ices than their *e$ican co)nterparts.1as looking for a replace&ent. Father =ayne. D)cinda de&anded they lea2e the &igrant far& circ)it and settle do1n 1here they co)ld pro2ide their child a stable ho&e.their second son.in a =ispanic neighborhood in Phoeni$.three years after Pa)l 1as born.so she and the children 1ere forced to &o2e into a s&aller place in a 1orse neighborhood.b)t they 1ere able to keep a roof o2er their heads.one day a n)n 1ho o2ersa1 the daycare told D)cinda the ho)sekeeper 1ho took care of the rectory at St.seeing &)ch of this ne1 landal1ays )nderpaid. She co)ld not hold onto their apart&ent by herself.she 1o)ld ha2e placed her boys in parochial school. 'hey ran a daycare ser2ice 1here she kept the children 1hen she 1as at 1ork.
.despite the collapse of the US econo&y.

>)an sho1ed )p as soon as his &other arri2ed at ho&e.he stopped follo1ing her orders.before she and *aria had a chance to di2ide her &eager inco&e.beco&ing a M)iet and solitary girl.sho)ting.1hen he 1as thirteen.>)an sho1ed )p at the shack right after his &other got ho&e fro& 1ork.>)an p)shed his sister a1ay and then ai&ed his p)nch at her. (o) are no longer &y sonHG
. ? sho)ld be in charge of the &oney. And she 1as okay 1ith this. F)ll of bra2ado.taking care of her brothers and the ho)sehold 1hile her &other 1orked.+.she gre1 into a pretty yo)ng 1o&an.b)t pretty in her o1n M)iet. Jobody co)ld control hi&.& 4uan So)th of the border.he said. G(o) are a boyHG >)an seethed 1ith anger. G'ake it and get o)t of hereH Dea2e )s alone and donFt e2er co&e back. and harder .)sing the &oney to b)y cigarettes and only he kne1 1hat else. =e stole fro& the& and fro& their neighbors.G GJoHG @abriella sho)ted.G >)an stepped closer and slapped her face. G? a& a &anH @i2e &e the &oneyHG @abriella slapped hi& back. O2er the passing years. One pay day. G(o) are a boy 1ho has forgotten his proper place. =e dre1 back his fist. 'ho)gh she had to be caref)l not to 2ent)re a1ay fro& ho&e alone.b)t little Pepito barged past the t1o to)ghs. *aria stepped into her sisterFs shoes M)ite easily. =er biggest proble& 1as 1ith her brother >)an.@abriella and *aria 1o)ld di22y )p the &oney.she gre1 )sed to her sisterFs absence.b)t the one person 1hose )nconditional lo2e n)rt)red her thro)gh early childhood. 'o his friends. Only t1o years yo)nger than *aria. Jo1 they 퍠Ԇ both kept the &oney pinned inside their dresses. gang &e&bers.she did not ha2e to 1rap a sha1l o2er her head and hide her face the 1ay her sister did. 'hey )sed to keep the &oney in a Iar by the cots)ntil >)an began stealing fro& it.he de&andedG? a& the &an of the ho)se no1.G =is &other s&irked at hi& fro& her seat at the rickety little 1ooden table they sal2aged fro& the d)&p.*aria &issed her older sister terriblyha2ing lost not I)st her dearest friend and confidant.shaking hi& ro)ghly 1hen the boy tried to kick hi&. =e s1aggered into the h)t.life in the DiaE fa&ily had gone on in D)cindaFs absence. By the ti&e he 1as t1el2e.tho)gh he had not yet been arrested.G(o) lea2e her aloneHG Petra re&ained &otionless on the cots.follo1ed by t1o &)ch older .G(o) g)ys 1ant &y sister.after 1ork.sho)ting. =e began hanging o)t 1ith Dos %onM)istadors. On paydays. As he gre1 )p.and 1ith a total lack of respect for his &other.ha2ing no desire to be the center of attention. G'ake the &oneyHG She p)lled an en2elop containing her 1eekFs pay o)t of her bodice and thre1 it in >)anFs face.yo) can ha2e her. At first.and *aria sprang on hi&.he 1as 1ell-kno1n to the police.scratching and p)nching like a 1ildcat.GW*a&iHG One of >)anFs friends grabbed hi& and held hi& back. =e co)ld not let his &other treat hi& like this in front of gang &e&bers. *ean1hile.&ost of it for food and other s)&s to co2er the other necessities. She felt )nass)&ing anony&ity &ade it &)ch easier to slip thro)gh life 1itho)t tro)ble. Perhaps not as 2ol)pt)o)s as her sister.)nderstated 1ay. ?n ti&e.>)an co)ld not accept her a)thority the 1ay he did their older sister. On this day. =e ca)ght her on the chin and sent her spra1ling on the floor. =is &other la&ented that he 1as gro1ing )p to be I)st like his na&esake.

1hen yo) get tired of li2ing like this. ?t 1as a to)gh 1eek for the&.and that &eeting 1o)ld fare &)ch 1orse than the last. Se2eral &onths later.he said. Other1ise.G *aria spit at hi&.la)ghing. 'ho)gh it h)rt her terriblyshe closed her heart to her oldest son. ?t 1o)ld be a long ti&e before his fa&ily 1o)ld see hi& again. 'o his friends.a child of his age 1o)ld ha2e been preyed )pon by the older &en.*adre.
퍠Ԇ
. Fort)nately. #2eryone said it 1as a sha&e >)an t)rned o)t so bad.G 'hey follo1ed hi& o)t of the shack. G? 1o)ldnFt stay in this little shack a &o&ent longer.G =e n)dged his sister 1ith his toe.GAnd sister. 'he one 1ho 1as holding Pepito tossed the boy to the floor as he left.? kno1 ho1 yo) can &ake a little &oney on the streets.>)an 1as arrested for assa)lting and robbing a to)rist co)ple.and they 1ere better off to be rid of hi&. @abriella consoled herself and her re&aining children.b)t he t)rned a1ay fro& her and headed for the door. =e 1as tried and sentenced to se2eral years in prison.the Ortegas and the other neighbors shared their food after finding o)t 1hat happened.G:a&os.b)t ?F& notH Adi\s. Being a gang &e&ber. (o) &ay be content to li2e like pigs and 1ork like dogs.>)an took the en2elop.looking at 1hat little &oney it contained.he 1as protected in prison by Dos %onM)istadors.

he noticed the dealer and his friends had their eye on hi&.he 1as too &)ch of a control freak to let any dr)g take o2er his life.and agreed to gi2e the boys each a speedball. ?Fll do anything for another speedball.b)t they 1onFt get 1hat yo) 1ant. 'hey 1ere &ore than 1illing to do b)siness.he tho)ght it 1as do)bly so 1hen his brother treated hi& to his first speedball.Q GB)t is it alright.G Petra looked at the &en 1orriedly. ?n the days that follo1ed. >)an co)nted the coins and la)ghed.tho)gh he did not )se it . Ahile he fo)nd this 1as tr)e for &ariI)ana. =e 1as partic)larly fond of &ethedrine.>)an bargained 1ith the dealers. >)an e$peri&ented 1ith dr)gs.and the dr)gs 1ere a sort of slo1 &otion 1eapon that robbed his brother of life little by little.if ? do thisKG Petra 1anted >)anFs appro2al.>)anKG G?f yo) 1ant to get high. to the point of being an addict. Ahile Petra 1aited. G'hese pesos &ay b)y yo) so&e candy.Petra sn)ck into a neighborFs ho)se and stole a fe1 pesos.fine.G >)an considered. Petra 1as an )nass)&ing.and 1o)ld do 1hate2er >)an asked hi&. =e idoliEed his older brother.1hen he 1as high than at any other ti&e in his life. =is fa2orite dr)g 1as po1er and do&ination. >)an la)ghed at his plight and told hi& that speedballs 1ere too e$pensi2e.and this is the only 1ay yo) are e2er going to take another trip. 'ho)gh the high 1as glorio)s.G G#spere-G Petra forced the 1ords o)t. Ahile he liked the edge &ethedrine ga2e hi&.p)tting the& in his pocket. =e sho1ed the coins to his brother and begged to go back to the dr)g ho)se.M)iet child.&ore totally hi&self. G'here &ay be a 1ay yo) can get it. 'he dr)gs ga2e hi& the ill)sion of being able to face reality and &aster it. G?Fll tell the& yo) donFt 1ant to do it. Petra felt &ore co&plete. or anything else .
. GSho)ld ? do this.predisposed to &elancholy. G?f yo) donFt 1ant to.Q So >)an led hi& back to the dr)g ho)se.the crash 1as intolerable.G Petra said nothing. 'he last ti&e he bro)ght his brother 1ith hi&.short of defying his &other and sister. =e liked ordering his brother aro)nd.he pestered his brother constantly to take hi& back for &ore. =e introd)ced his brother Petra to dr)gs. Ahen >)an e$plained to Petra that the fa2ors consisted of ha2ing oral se$ 1ith all the &en the boy balked.or took the initiati2e. B)t yo) said yo) 1o)ld do anything.a disser2ice that did not beco&e plain to the& )ntil later. ?t 1as for po1er and do&ination that he first s&oked a Ioint 1ith his little brotherand then later led hi& into a dr)g ho)se and introd)ced hi& to speedballs and heroin. GAaitH 'hey 1ill gi2e &e the speedball firstKG GSi. =e seldo& 2oiced an opinion abo)t anything.G GPor fa2or.+-& Petra >)an did the fa&ily one other disser2ice before they se2ered ties 1ith hi&.si. Finding hi&self the sa&e 1eak child in the sa&e dreary e$istence 1as al&ost &ore than Petra co)ld stand. (o) 1o)ld do anythingKG GSi. =e preferred to follo1 his older siblings and do as he 1as told.in ret)rn for 1hich Petra 1o)ld perfor& fa2ors for the&.1hile gi2ing >)an total control o2er hi&. 'hey liked yo)ng boys. 퍠Ԇ Finally.

*aria kne1 1hat 1as 1rong 1ith her brother. Aro)nd the ti&e 1hen >)an robbed their &other and beca&e estranged fro& the fa&ily.the &an asked if he 1o)ld like to try the real thing. Ahen he 1as ho&e.
. Petra told his little brother that if he said anything abo)t it.trying to keep fro& la)ghing as he did so.the &an ga2e hi& the eyedropper syringe and a s&all s)pply of dope. 'he dealer &o2ed hi& )p grad)ally. One of the &en fi$ed )p an eyedropper 1ith a needle in the end of it and shot )p the boys.preferring to b)ry hi&self in the pict)re books his &other and sister bo)ght for hi& 1hen they co)ld afford the&. =e gre1 pale and ga)nt. ?t 1as the dr)g that &ade his life co&plete and &ade e2erything 1orth1hile.GPara )sted. Once Pepito follo1ed hi& and sa1 hi& shooting )p. perhaps a little &ore 1ithdra1n than )s)al.si.the &an led hi& into a back bedroo& and introd)ced hi& to heroin. =o1e2er.o)t on the streets or st)&bling aro)nd the shantyto1n. On his ne$t 2isit. Ahen Petra ans1ered in the affir&ati2e. Petra agreed that heroin 1as the real thing.and told hi& to co&e back 1hen he 1anted &ore.Petra fo)nd his s)pply of heroin 1as not lasting as long.starting o)t 1ith 2ery 1eak st)ff and slo1ly increasing the potency. =e left the dr)g ho)se 1ith a 1eekFs s)pply of 1atered do1n heroin. 'hen Petra perfor&ed his ret)rn ser2ice. =e sho1ed hi& ho1 &)ch to )se and ho1 to prepare it. She did not kno1 that 1hen he and Pepito 1ent o)t to 퍠Ԇ Petra 1o)ld slip a1ay to a hiding place play 1ith the other children in the &orning1here he co)ld load )p. She 1as so e&barrassed for her brother that she left SeXora :alencia and ran ho&e. After Petra 1as finished.Q >)an led his brother across the roo& to the dealers and nodded to the&. '1o &onths after >)anFs depart)re. @abriella 1as not there eno)gh to obser2e his beha2ior. She had seen people like hi& e2er since she co)ld re&e&ber. =e 1as spending &ore and &ore ti&e a1ay fro& ho&e.she noticed he 1as ner2o)s in the &orning. >)an did not stick aro)nd to 1atch0 Petra co)ld find his o1n 1ay ho&e.b)&ping into things and knocking st)ff o2er.G For yo).1ithdra1n self . *aria co)ld not belie2e it. 'he c)sto&ers paid the& for his fa2ors.1hen they 1ere going to the &arket together.he laid aro)nd and nodded. Ahen he asked for a bigger s)pply. GBien.by noon he 1as al1ays back to his )s)al. Dittle Pepito a2oided hi&. 'he s)pply lasted Petra a 1eek. One day.the dealers told hi& he 1o)ld ha2e to 1ork the streets to &ake eno)gh &oney to co2er his needs. 'hen the &an had anal interco)rse 1ith hi&.SeXora :alencia told *aria she had seen Petra o)t on the streets of to1nh)stling tricks. Jeither *aria nor @abriella ca)ght on for a long ti&e.Petra 1o)ld stab hi& in the heart 1ith that sa&e needle. *aria did not detect &)ch of a change in hi&.and they ga2e hi& dr)gs.by 1hich ti&e he 1as hooked. =e ret)rned to the dope ho)se and recei2ed another 1eekFs s)pply in ret)rn for &ore fa2ors. =e 1o)ld sl)r his 1ords and st)&ble abo)t. At first.the dr)g dealers told hi& he 1o)ld ha2e to e$tend his ser2ices to paying c)sto&ers.Petra fo)nd he needed the dr)g I)st to f)nction nor&ally.yes.they set hi& )p in a bedroo& in the dr)g ho)se. Ahile she tried hard not to ad&it it.and 1as too tired to do so 1hen she 1as ho&e. O2er ti&e. Soon. *aria 1as gro1ing concerned abo)t her brother.

Petra+s goneK GSi-G *aria h)gged hi& to her. She called after hi& 1oef)lly. GYPor M)[ lo haceKG she de&anded.and then stood regarding hi&. And the only choice 1as for her to p)t in those gr)eling long ho)rs in the gar&ent factory.G She backed a1ay fro& her brother. it. *aria let hi& go. =e hasn+t been 1ell. GWDe2ol2erHG @i2e it back.G =e 1anted to r)n o)t of the shack.G*e te&o M)e es.)[ estZs haciendoKG Ahat are yo) doingK Petra tried to snatch it o)t of her hand. *aria felt a chill go thro)gh her. G Jo. She bla&ed herself for the break)p of her fa&ily. GPetraHG she shook the syringe at hi&.she p)lled hi& )p off the cot and shook hi&.G GJo.as a &other sho)ld. *aria grabbed hi& and tried to get thro)gh to hi&. 'he t1o of the& cried and consoled each other.GWPetraHG Dittle Pepito left the children 1ith 1hich he 1as playing and ca&e to his sister.and he had &)ch the sa&e look in the& that her father had 1hen he attacked her sister. GW#s &]oHG he sho)ted. G'his st)ff 1ill kill yo). *aria stepped back. GJoHG he cried o)t as tho)gh she did hi& so&e terrible inI)ry.b)t *aria 1as M)icker. GPetra. After taking one look at hi&.b)t by the ti&e she reached the door he 1as gone. =is eyes 1ere on the syringe. =is shirt ripped open and his rig fell o)t of a secret pocket he had se1n to the inside of his shirt. GAe 1ill find help to get yo) o2er this. She felt degraded si&ply holding it.G ?+& afraid he is. G=o1 long ha2e yo) been prostit)ting to pay for thisKG G(o) donFt kno1 anything.and she 1anted to thro1 it a1ay. She co)ld not keep fro& thinking that if she only spent &ore ti&e 1ith the&. G^l no ha sido bien-G Pepito obser2ed as his o1n tears rose )p.G her 2oice filled 1ith sadness and pity. Faced 1ith this latest loss. 'hat night 1hen she ca&e ho&e fro& 1ork.?n the shack.she deter&ined to hang on to her re&aining t1o children. She s1ept it )p and 1a2ed it in his face. She stood in the door1ay 1ith silent tears strea&ing do1n her cheeks.none of this 1o)ld ha2e happened.she kne1 1hat SeXora :alencia said 1as tr)e.
. Jo he hasn+t. Petra stooped to retrie2e it. =o1e2er &)ch she bla&ed herself.b)t another part of hi& 1anted to attack his sister.b)t her refle$es 1ere too M)ick for hi&.she kne1 so&ebody had to pro2ide for the& or they 1o)ld all be lost.looking 1ith disg)st at the syringe in her hand.both of the& looking at the rig lying on the gro)nd bet1een the&.[l no ha-G *aria cried alo)d. GDonFt yo) kno1 1hat this st)ff does to yo)K Y.@abriella 1as disconsolate o2er the loss of yet another son. @rabbing hi& by his shirt.she fo)nd Petra asleep on the cots. GYPetra del pasadoKG he asked. Ahy do yo) do itK GAhy do yo) sell yo)rselfK Ahat do yo) do 1ith the &oneyKG Petra tried to p)ll a1ay. GWPetra.noH WD[Ia&e en paEHG Dea2e &e alone. =er brother 1as selling hi&self o)t on the streets. Petra shook hi&self free and ran fro& the shack.noHG *aria follo1ed hi&. GDetFs get rid of this thing and get yo) so&e helpHG 퍠Ԇ Petra 1atched in horror as she sto&ped on She dropped the syringe on the gro)nd.

(o) 1ill be b)sy in the &orning fi$ing the &eal.G @abriella s&iled 1istf)lly at her da)ghterFs childish drea&. @abriella nodded her head. GAnd a child 1ith PepitoFs abilities belongs in school.&i hiIo-G the 1o&an responded.and neither do yo). Jo1 she spoke )p. BenedictFs %atholic School 1ere i&pressed by his perfor&ance.he had e$ha)sted her abilities and 1as teaching hi&self.@abriella co)ld not afford the t)ition. So yo) 1o)ld still be able to take care of Pepito after school.G GB)t 1ho 1ill look after the ho)seKG @abriella asked. *aria ta)ght hi& 1hat little she kne1 of reading and 1riting. G#res bien2enido.+.G G@racias.an officio)s n)n b)t not 1itho)t co&passion. GAe &ay ha2e a sol)tion.
. 'he ho)rs in the factories are long.*aria &ade a decision.b)t co)ld not afford to send hi&. G? 1ill get a Iob and pay his t)ition. Aith so&e help fro& SeXor Ortega. G'here isnFt &)ch to do there 1ith I)st Pepito and &e. Unfort)natelye2en 1ith the scholarship.b)t it sho)ld co2er PepitoFs t)ition.1e can all Ioin D)cinda in the USA. And 1ho 1ill 1atch yo)r brother after school. =e 1as also talented at &athe&atics. SeXor Ortega told @abriella the boy sho)ld be in school. 'hey 1ill 1ear yo) o)t and &ake yo) 퍠Ԇ old before yo)r ti&e. Pepito 1as tested and the sisters at St. Sitting in the office of the Principal. She agreed.G G*adreKG *aria looked to @abriella for per&ission. Aith Pepito in school. (o) are 1elco&e.G *aria e$pressed her gratit)de to her &other and to the Principal. Ae need help in the cafeteria fi$ing and ser2ing l)nch.he began so)nding o)t 1ords he sa1 on packages and signs. =e ta)ght hi&self ho1 to add and s)btract by the ti&e he 1as fi2e. (o) 1ill report for 1ork pro&ptly at 5A*. By the ti&e he 1as fi2e.&y child. (o) can both start to&orro1. (o)r 1ork 1o)ld be done before the school day 1as o2er. G:ery fe1 1ho enter the factories e2er lea2e the&. 'hey bro)ght hi& books 1hen they co)ld afford the&. School letFs o)t at !/!0. (o)r 1orkday 1ill end at 2/!0.so&e of the& )ntil long after the spine 1ore o)t and the pages ca&e loose.G G? donFt 1ant to see yo) go to the factories. At the age of three. 'he pay is not &)ch. Jeither of )s 1ill be there for hi&.?Fll need to do so&ething 1ith &y ti&e. School starts at se2en.G 'he Principal.and in the afternoon yo) 1ill be I)st as b)sy cleaning )p.G GAe do need the help-G the Principal said.& Pepito ?t 1as ob2io)s early on that Pepito 1as a bright child.he 1as adding and s)btracting n)&bers 1ith &)ltiple digits by the ti&e he 1as si$ and doing &)ltiplication and di2ision by age se2en. 'hey offered a partial scholarship and )rged @abriella to accept this offer for the boyFs sake. G'hank yo).G G? donFt ha2e to 1ork there fore2er. G'his is a 2ery kind offer. So SeXor Ortega s)ggested they take hi& to a local parochial school and see 1hat sort of deal they co)ld 1ork o)t. Once Pepito is done 1ith school.like &e.G G@racias-G *aria said again as she stood and shook the PrincipalFs hand.listened to this con2ersation 1ith sy&pathy. D)nch is at noon.and these he read o2er and o2er.

At age ele2enPepito fo)nd hi&self pro&oted to the eighth grade.careened 1ildly. @abriella 1as tossed o2er the hood and landed in the street like a t1isted rag doll. Soon *aria 1as taking books ho&e 1ith her. 'he sisters. 'he poor 1o&an 1as dead by the ti&e her friends reached her side.gi2ing her books and assign&ents.1ere &ore interested in her st)dies.b)t she 1as in bad shape.ho1e2er.and s)per2ising her ed)cation 1hen they had ti&e to do so.there 1as little 1ork to be done before 9A*. '1o of the teachers noticed her bent o2er the books one day. Ahen he carried on this 1ay. 'here 1as no1 eno)gh food for all of the&.h)&ble tho)gh they 1ere. Depressed for &any years by her o1n gloo&y e$istence.@abriella bo)ght an oil la&p.their financial sit)ation eased a little. A co1orker 1ent to their
.@abriella 1as able to rela$ and enIoy life. Aith only *aria and Pepito left at ho&e.and e2en a little &eat and fresh 2egetables on the table fro& ti&e to ti&e. Before long. =e e$celled at school I)st as e2eryone kne1 he 1o)ld.instead of picking the& o)t of the garbage.Pepito 1as placed in the third grade. 'he f)t)re no1 offered the& &ore than a lifelong str)ggle to s)r2i2e in shantyto1n.back inI)ries and a collapsed l)ng. =e 1as soon drea&ing of beco&ing a doctor and &o2ing his &other and sister to a nice ho&e 1here they 1o)ld not ha2e to 1ork.@abriella entertained a hope that brightened her days-퍠 aԆ hope for her t1o re&aining children. One night as they 1ere lea2ing 1ork.@arbiella and one of her co1orkers 1ere str)ck by a hit and r)n dri2er.hit the 1o&en and sped a1ay before anyone co)ld get a good look at the dri2er. 'he 1orld see&ed to be opening )p to both of the&.sipping coffee and trading gossip. =er co1orker fell )nderneath the car and 1as dragged a distance. 'hey beca&e her t)tors. 'he elder of the t1o looked o2er the &ath proble&s she 1as trying to 1ork o)t and e$plained a concept 1ith 1hich she 1as ha2ing tro)ble. At age eighteen. *aria fo)nd so&e old school books and applied herself to the& d)ring these early ho)rs. She and Pepito 1o)ld sit at the little table and 1ork on their assign&ents thro)gh the e2ening. @abriella 1as ali2e.the Principal beca&e a1are of the arrange&ent and condoned it so long as it did not interfere 1ith her 1ork. 'he ne$t fe1 years sped by happily for all three of the&. Other 1orkers 1ho 1itnessed the accident said the car ca&e o)t of no1here. 'hey sho)ld ha2e kno1n these happy ti&es.and no one do)bted he 1o)ld achie2e his )ndi&inished drea& of being a doctor. For the first ti&e in &any years.co)ld not last fore2er. Stating it 1as not good for the& to st)dy in the dark. 'he other kitchen 1orkers 1o)ld sit aro)nd a back roo& in the &orning. Often.1hich lit )p their shack &)ch better at night than tallo1 candles. *aria 1as e&barrassed and apologiEed for not 1orking. 'hey 1ere able to b)y ne1 clothes and shoes e2ery once in a 1hile. @abriella e2en ca)ght so&e of their infectio)s opti&is&.*aria had &anaged to gi2e herself the eM)i2alent of an eighth grade ed)cation. She 1as glad he appreciated 1hat she 1as doing for hi&.*aria s&iled and said nothing.b)oyed by their good spirits. 'hey asked her M)estions abo)t the books. 'he 1ork 1as not all that hard and *aria 1elco&ed the opport)nity to keep b)sy. She 1as ad&itted to the hospital 1ith a fract)red pel2is.b)t she did not e$pect to be paid back. She fo)nd her o)tlook on life brightened 1hen she escaped fro& the shanty to1n to spend part of her day at the school.

?f yo) go back to the 1aiting roo&. GAhen ? beco&e a doctor. 'he hospital 1ill be satisfied as long as yo) &ake reg)lar &onthly pay&ents .G *aria 1as at a loss. Ahen they learned she did not s&oke.G *aria stopped and looked do1n at hi&.G Pepito gasped.yo) 1ill not. =o1e2er.G GB)t ho1 are 1e going to co&e )p 1ith that kind of &oneyKG G Do har[-G *aria said.1hile they 1ere 1alking back to the 1aiting roo&Pepito said.she sat straight and still and tried to keep her 2oice cal& as she spoke.the co)ncilor told the& of a f)nd set )p to help poor patients.the &edical care and her hospital stay.G ?+& afraid not.d)ring the operation.G GAnd ho1.they 1ere directed to one of her doctors. 'he co)ncilor looked o2er @abrielaFs records and esti&ated. @i2en their circ)&stances. ?n spite of ho1 shaken she 1as. ?+ll do it. 'hey 1o)ld keep her on the respirator for a 1hile and they 1o)ld not perfor& the back s)rgery )ntil her l)ngs 1ere f)nctioning 1ellprobably the follo1ing night or the day after.
.G ?t 1as still a large s)& of &oney. 'he doctor led the st)nned children to the office of a financial co)ncilor 1ho 1o)ld help the& set )p a plan to pay for the operations. At the hospital.?Fll &ake s)re people get the help they need 1itho)t taking the shirt off their backs. G=o1 &)ch 1ill those e$penses co&e toKG *aria asked.'engo &iedo no. G?Fll ha2e to take another Iob.GAe co)ld scale back on her care and place her in the general 1ard. ?t 1o)ld break *a&aFs heart.are yo) going to do that and &ake yo)r fort)neKG GOh. Jo.?Fll find a 1ay.sheFll ha2e to stay in the hospital the 1hole ti&e she is in a back brace. G'engo M)e hacerlo.G *aria 1as still at a loss.G 퍠Ԇ a1ay-G the co)ncilor told her. AeF2e 1orked too hard to get yo) into that school.GAith her back inI)ries.they spec)lated the congestion &ay ha2e been ca)sed by conditions at her 1orkplace. 'hat 1o)ld only cost three h)ndred pesos a day. 'he t1o of the& r)shed to the hospital and spent the rest of the night there. G*)y bien. =e tho)ght for a &o&ent. *aria felt herself t)rn to Ielly. So thatFs one &onth at fi2e h)ndred pesos per day. She also reM)ired another operation on her back.lea2ing only the e$pense of s)bseM)ent &edical care and her long stay in the hospital.they 1ill let yo) kno1 the &o&ent they ha2e any ne1s. e2en if yo) pay as little as ten pesos a &onth.G? 1ill lea2e school and get a Iob to help pay for her bills.Q ? ha2e to do it. GAnd yo) G(o) donFt ha2e to start paying right donFt ha2e to pay the 1hole thing at once. ?Fll &ake s)re her bill is paid.G G? 1ill take care of it.G 'he &an said.after 1hich she 1o)ld ha2e to re&ain in a back brace for o2er a &onth and body cast for se2eral &onths.G After they left the office. G?Fll ha2e toP.st)nned by this tragedy. G? kno1 yo) are concerned abo)t yo)r &other.they fo)nd her l)ngs 1ere congested 1ith tar and d)st. GJo.e$actly.1ho told the& their &other 1as on a 2entilator b)t 1o)ld reM)ire s)rgery to repair the da&age to her l)ng.G 'he doctors told the& the s)rgery on their &otherFs l)ng 1as s)ccessf)l. GJo lo harZs. ?t 1o)ld co2er &ost of the cost of the operations. G%an 1e bring her ho&e soonerKG GAith a back braceKG the co)ncilor said.shack and infor&ed *aria and Pepito. 'he best thing yo) can do for her is to contin)e 1ith yo)r ed)cation and grad)ate 1ith high honors.

And she co)ld only )se the la2atory d)ring her l)nch break or bet1een shifts.Q 'he &anager tho)ght abo)t it a &o&ent.G =er ne$t stop 1as the gar&ent factory.hooked )p to all the eM)ip&ent and 1ired into the back brace. =er fingers 1ere sore all the ti&eand she had to ignore the pain in order to do anything. G? a& sorry to hear abo)t yo)r &otherFs accident. She 1orked 2ery hard and 1as e2ent)ally able to fill her &otherFs shoes.*aria and Pepito 1ere allo1ed to sit 1ith her in the reco2ery roo&.lying in her bed in the cro1ded co&&on 1ard. 'ho)gh she al1ays see&ed bigger than life to both of the&. 'he second operation stabiliEed @abriellaFs back inI)ry.G G(o) donFt ha2e any e$perience.she 1orked three shifts in a ro1. A n)rse told the& she 1as doing 1ell and it 1o)ld probably be a long ti&e before she a1oke.&ake s)re Pepito 1as doing all right by hi&selfand then collapse on her cot for a fe1 ho)rs before she had to drag herself back to 1ork for another gr)eling thirty-si$ ho)rs. 'hen she left Pepito there 1ith her and 1ent to take care of b)siness.e2en triple shifts.do yo)K (o) 1onFt be able to 1ork like yo)r &other did. As did his sister and his &other.she looked tiny in that hospital bed. G?Fll 1ork long ho)rs.he beca&e &ore deter&ined than e2er that he 1o)ld be a s)ccessf)l doctor and resc)e his &other and his sister fro& this c)rse. ? 1ill see if they can 1ork &e at night so ? can go on earning PepitoFs t)ition.
.1here she 1as directed to the personnel &anager.*ariaKG the Principal asked. ?n those first 1eeks. She kne1 1hat she had to do.G? need this Iob to pay her hospital bills.he 1ondered 1hy their fa&ily 1as c)rsed. Ahile he fo)nd it lonely sitting aro)nd the shack by hi&self. Pepito got hi&self off to school in the &orning and looked after hi&self in the e2ening 1itho)t too &)ch of a proble&. GAhat are yo) going to do.tiny and fragile.G =e told her. So *aria 1ent to 1ork in the factory. G? 1ill ha2e to take o2er &otherFs Iob in the factory.he kept b)sy 1ith school 1ork and 1ent to bed early.so long as they did not dist)rb her.1here she told the Principal 1hat happened and e$c)sed Pepito fro& classes for the day.and it 1ill be hard to find so&eone to fill her shoes.b)t she 1o)ld ne2er 1alk again. *aria stayed by her side )ntil 4/!0 in the &orning.she st)ck herself 1ith needles so &any ti&es her hands rese&bled fleshy pin c)shions. ?n PepitoFs case.do)ble shifts. 'he doctors said the inI)ry 1o)ld heal the best it co)ld.G GDonFt 1orry abo)t PepitoFs t)ition. She 1as allo1ed only one fifteen &in)te l)nch break per t1el2e ho)r shift. =e is o)r star p)pil and 1e 1o)ldnFt drea& of losing hi&.G 퍠Ԇ G#stZ bien. GShe 1as a good 1orker. ? 1o)ld like her Iob.G *aria tho)ght this 1as odd.hardly ackno1ledging *aria and PepitoFs presence 1hen they 2isited.G G'hat is 1hy ? a& here. D)ring her first fe1 &onths on the Iob.as her &other ne2er &ade &)ch inco&e.1e+ll gi2e yo) a try. =er first stop 1as the school. @abriella 1as despondent for 1eeks. 'his ne1s f)rther saddened the three re&aining fa&ily &e&bers. 'hey said her spinal cord 1as da&aged0 it co)ld ne2er be repaired and 1o)ld ne2er heal.G She begged.and then took one night to look in on her &other. (o) take care of yo)r &other.

to be )sed only 1hen the pain beca&e too &)ch.laden 1ith &edical s)pplies. She 1as told she 1o)ld also ha2e to be caref)l of her breathing. GAe heard the noise co&ing fro& yo)r place. =e e2en caIoled his sister into gi2ing hi& eno)gh &oney to b)y so&e ha&b)rger to go into their ta&ales along 1ith the beans. =e approached the& before they reached the shack.'hen a ne1 patient 1as ad&itted to the bed ne$t to her. 'he oil la&p 1as broken.? a& 2ery sorry.as *aria had to forget abo)t the &ore direct paths and alley1ays. As they dre1 near. She 1o)ld be prone to respiratory ail&ents.they sa1 ho1 sad and dist)rbed he 1as. BenedictFs ga2e her a 1heelchair. 'he chairs 1ere )pset.G @abriella took the 1heels of her chair and p)shed her 1ay past SeXor Ortegaspilling &edical s)pplies as she did so. 'he sisters at St.)[KG *aria asked.@abriella learned to be thankf)l she 1as still ali2e.G SeXor Ortega looked do1n at his feet. Ahen asked abo)t herself.1here it &i$ed 1ith tra&pled ha&b)rger and so&ething &)ch darker.as her l)ng capacity had not reco2ered. @abriella carried &ost of the s)pplies in her lap 1hile *aria퍠 p)shed her chair fro& behind. She 1o)ld ha2e to a2oid e$pos)re to s&oke and d)st. GPepitoHG she called o)t as she banged open the door to their shack and 1heeled herself in.a 1o&an abo)t her age.or anything that &ight o2erta$ her l)ngs.and to go on for the sake of her re&aining children. G@abriella. GB)t it 1as o2er by the ti&e 1e got there. Pepito 1ent ho&e directly fro& school so he co)ld straighten )p the shack and ha2e dinner 1aiting 1hen their &other arri2ed. *aria told her &other ho1 1ell Pepito 1as doing in school.alar&ed. As they ca&e )p the lane.and instead seek o)t a2en)es 1here it 1o)ld be easier to na2igate the 1heelchair.@abriella had to ret)rn for &onthly e$a&s.for 1hich &other.if not for herself. 'hey left the hospital after 6P*. Fro& this 1o&an. *aria got o)t of 1ork at 5P* and 1ent to the hospital to 1heel her &other ho&e.and she 1o)ld ha2e to keep a s)pply of &orphine on hand. 'he shack 1as co&pletely dishe2eled. @abriella 1as staring at
.they co)ld see SeXor Ortega standing in front of their ho&ehat in hand.a single &other of se2en children 1ho 1as in the final stage of ter&inal cancer. GYD\nde estZ PepitoKG AhatK Ahere+s PepitoK @abriella began breathing hea2y. Fro& this point. *aria stood froEen in horror for a &o&ent before she 1illed herself to follo1 her &other into the shack. 'hey tho)ght he 1as 1aiting to greet @abriella on her ret)rn.her reco2ery began in earnestand the doctors finally began talking of a release date.spilling oil on the tabletop and the dirt floor. Along the 1ay Ԇ they talked abo)t ho1 nice it 1o)ld be to ha2e @abriella back ho&e again and 1hat the three of the& 1o)ld do together.one &onth after her ad&ittance. She 1as told she co)ld e$pect so&e bad bo)ts of ner2e pain.da)ghter and son 1ere e$tre&ely gratef)l.she said only that she 1as learning the Iob.e2eryone 1as in high spirits.*aria. Once she 1as released.and they both allo1ed the s)bIect to drop. 'heir ro)te ho&e 1as so&e1hat circ)ito)s. =e 1anted e2erything to be I)st right for her ret)rn. ?t 1as after se2en oFclock 1hen they finally reached their shack. ? 1ish yo) did not ha2e to co&e ho&e to this.ho1e2er.G GY. Pepito 1as no1here to be seen. L Ahen the day of her release arri2ed.

and e$pected hi& to escape the shantyto1n. 'hey fo)ght. @abriela gagged for a &o&ent and then s)cked in a tre&endo)s breath.G=ere.she sat in her chair holding the book and looking at nothing. =e ca&e here. >)an 1as tried and con2icted of fratricide.bleeding. 'hey arrested >)an 1itho)t a str)ggle. P)shing her chair o2er to the sto2eshe said. SeXor Ortega had to testify. GW*a&iHG *aria p)shed past SeXor Ortega.after the accident. Jo one dared enter 1hile >)an held the knife. #2eryone liked Pepito.G GOhHG *aria &oaned. GAhen 1e got here. SeXor Ortega tried again and &anaged to force it o)t.
. and then co)ld not bring herself to p)t it back do1n. As SeXor Ortega entered the door1ay. She c)rsed herself for not paying attention as she took the& off the griddle. =e 1as I)st standing there.&)&bling so&ething abo)t 1hat a d)&b kid Pepito 1as. @abriella sighed. SeXora :alencia and so&e of the other neighborhood 1o&en helped to look after her 1hile *aria 1as at 1ork. a biology book . @abriella co)ld not get her breath.b)t PepitoP.one of PepitoFs teachers 1o)ld stop by to lend a hand.the first so)nd she &ade in 1eeks.GYD\nde estZ PepitoKG Ahere+s PepitoK ?nstead of ans1ering her directly. She 1as trying to &ake tortillas. >)an had a knife. @abriella 1heeEed on the edge of her chiar. One e2ening. G(o) lie do1n and get so&e rest-G her &other told her. She st)ck the noEEle into her &otherFs &o)th and sM)eeEed the applicator t1ice. Jeither *aria nor @abriella attended the trial. G?Fll 1ake yo) 1hen it is ti&e to eat.Pepito 1as lying on the gro)nd. Pepito s)rprised hi&. So&ebodyFs got to look after yo). 'hat night. She e$haled in a po1erf)l 1ail. 'hen she slo1ly.1ho feared his ne1s &ight kill @abriela.the stain on the gro)nd.along 1ith the Benedictine sisters.b)t he said nothing abo)t it to the&. >)an 1as standing o2er hi&.she picked )p one of PepitoFs te$tbooks . She b)rned the first batch beca)se she doEed off on her feet as they 1ere cooking.caref)lly took the book fro& her lap and laid it on the table.so 1e sh)t the door and g)arded it 1hile &y kids ran to find a police&an. She 1o)ld not talk or feed herself. Pepito had been 퍠Ԇ lo2ed by e2eryone. *aria grabbed an inhaler fro& off the gro)nd o)tside the shack and raced back to her &otherFs side. GPepito estaba &)erto. Jo1 and then.G SeXor OrtegaFs report 1as rather e&otionless to this point.*aria 1as atte&pting to fi$ a &eal after a thirty-si$ ho)r shift.b)t no1 his 2oice ca)ght.she de&anded.SeXor Ortega told the&. For days. L SeXor Ortega and the entire neighborhood chipped in to pay for the f)neral. =e 1as gi2en a life sentence.let &e do that before yo) b)rn the place do1n.probably looking for &oney. *aria h)gged her and they cried.G>)an &)st ha2e gotten o)t of prison recently.G Pepito 1as dead.G *aria did as she 1as told. @abriella 1as &ore despondent than e2er. She ga2e her &other a big h)g.G GW*a&iHG *aria co)ld not belie2e her ears. For a long ti&e she 1atched her &other b)sying herself at the sto2e before her eyes closed.

?t 1as diffic)lt thinking of @abriella li2ing any1here else.G GPor fa2or.G @abriella ne2er spoke abo)t her past. She had ne2er offered anything abo)t her life before that. B)t 1hat ? tell yo) is 2ery dist)rbing.1ho 1o)ld insist they co)ld al1ays find so&eone 1ho 1as 1illing to take their prices if 1e 1eren+t. 'his 퍠Ԇ 1ill be a long story. Fro& &y earliest childhood1hene2er life in the 2illage gre1 diffic)lt.G GYpor M)[. @abriella spoke Spanish 1ith an accent.G G*)y bien. Ae 1ere sand1iched on a spit of )n1anted land bet1een the banana plantations.G'oday 1as &y brotherFs birthday.and doing anything besides 1orking in the factory.*a&i-G *aria begged. G*ake yo)rself co&fortable. *aria kne1 her &other &et her father at a ref)ge ca&p in So)thern *e$ico.)s)ally 1hen she 1as )pset.1here they 1ere o2er1orked. Ae gre1 corn and beans. 'hey kne1 1e had to sell or the crops 1o)ld go to 1aste.G G=o1 co&e yo) ne2er talk abo)t yo)r fa&ily and yo)r childhoodKG G'hey are 2ery bitter &e&ories. Ae had no 1ay to store corn and beans.and no1 and then she )ttered a fe1 1ords in *ayan dialect.+/& 8abriella7s Story One e2ening after they ate a si&ple &eal in silence. G? 1o)ld like to kno1 &y heritage.and 1e &)st 1ork to &ake things better for e2eryone. *aybe it 1o)ld ha2e helped yo) to &ake better choices.@abriella said. GPepito 1as na&ed after hi&.G GPlease tell &e.
. ? kne1 that 1as a &istake. *y brother Pepito )sed to say 1e co)ld not r)n a1ay fro& o)r fa&ily and o)r people.and >)an bro)ght her )p here.)nderpaid and )nderfed.left )s to 1ork on the plantations. 'he little they ga2e )s 1as hardly eno)gh to pay for the ne$t year+s far&ing s)pplies&)ch less all o)r other needs. She said he 1as a good &an back then.b)t ? still felt the only hope for any of )s lay beyond the &o)ntains. Aitho)t h)nting and foraging. *aria kne1 her &other 1as *ayan.as 1as their c)sto&.*a&i.1e 1o)ld ha2e star2ed to death.G @abriella tho)ght abo)t it and sighed. G*aybe ? sho)ld ha2e told yo).and the 1orld o)tside 1as f)ll of 1onders.? 1o)ld look o2er the &o)ntains and drea& of escaping. O)rs 1as a poor 2illage.of little 1orth or i&portance.G @abriella p)shed back her chair fro& the table. 'he &o)ntains isolated )s. *ost of the boys fro& o)r 2illageonce they 1ere old eno)gh.G L ? al1ays 1ondered 1hat life 1as like o)tside of the &o)ntains. ? kne1 he 1as right.*a&iKG G*y brother &et a sad end. G? did not kno1 yo) had a brotherKG *aria 2ent)red.and ? did not 1ant that bitterness to infect yo) children. 'hey had fallen in lo2e instantly. O)r crops ne2er bro)ght &)ch at &arket.and a fe1 2egetables for o)r o1n )se.before she beca&e the bread1inner and he took to drinking. G=e died long ago. Prices 1ere held do1n by the b)yers. 'hose 1ho re&ained tried to eke o)t the best li2ing 1e co)ld on the little land that re&ained to )s. ? 1anted yo) to ha2e a chance.

?n the end. 퍠Ԇ and going to 1ork in the plantations. =e had 1orked the fields 1ith father for se2eral years by this ti&e. Once they 1ere certain e2eryone 1as asse&bled in the sM)are.trying to hold back &y tears. 'he priest ga2e )s lessons. Another far&er 1as taking the& in his horse-dra1n 1agon to the nearest point 1here they co)ld catch a b)s. An officer p)lled o)t his pistol and shot a dog that 1as snarling at hi&.so&ething 1as to happen that &ade )s 2ery glad he 1as gone. 'he priest arg)ed the &ilitary co)ld not take offense to )s trying to better o)rsel2es. =e did not see& to care that of all the 2illagers. 'hey dro2e right o2er o)r gardens and parked in the 2illage sM)are. 'he officer told )s o)r co)ntry 1as at 1ar. =e said it 1as ti&e for yo)ng &en to do their patriotic d)ty and help to fight these e2il co&&)nists. *y father had insisted Pepito and ? sho)ld st)dy Spanish. ? 1as en2io)s0 ? 1anted to see the city of &y drea&s. 'he priest 1anted to tra2el to the city and find so&eone at the )ni2ersity or else1here 1ho co)ld help )s. ?t 1as early in the &orning. 'hey herded these boys into the back of an enclosed tr)ck. 'he officer told those of )s 1ho re&ained 1e sho)ld be pro)d of o)r yo)ng &en 1ho 1ere going to ser2e their co)ntry and ens)re o)r safety. Ahile 1e stood together be1ildered.this Other than taking o)r crops to &arket 1as the first ti&e in &any years that anyone had left o)r 2illage.? 1as sad to see &y brother lea2e.and 1e 1ere not a little 1orried abo)t hi&.one 1eek after his depart)re.e2en tho)gh ? kne1 he 1o)ld not be gone long.'his co)ld not go on.and so he offered to send &y brother Pepito instead.Pepito 1as eager to go.? ga2e hi& a big h)g. Pepito had I)st t)rned si$teen and father felt this trip 1o)ld be a good e$perience for hi&.the officer &ade a short speech in Spanish.lea2ing )s to &o)rn o)r losses. A platoon of soldiers ca&e into o)r 2illage. =o1e2er. #2eryone 1as 1ondering ho1 Pepito 1as faring. 'hen again.? 1as the only one 1ho kne1 e2en a little Spanish.they searched thro)gh the ho)ses to &ake s)re no one 1as hiding. 'he local priest 1as a1are of o)r proble&s.forcing e2eryone into the 2illage sM)are.before any of the &en left to 1ork in their fields.the 2illagers decided to send the priest to the city to look for so&eone 1ho co)ld help )s. 'he soldiers 1ent a&ong )s and p)lled o)t e2ery boy fro& age thirteen to t1enty-fo)r.and one day he called for a co)ncil to disc)ss a sol)tion. ? 1atched the& heading do1n the road )ntil they disappeared fro& sight. *y father agreed 1ith the priest. ? &ade s)re his best clothes 1ere ready for hi&. Je2er had anyone gone so far as the city.? told the others 1hat the officer said. *any of the people 1ere afraid to do anything that &ight dra1 the attention of the &ilitary. O)r 2illage 1o)ld not s)r2i2e if 1e 1ere not paid fairly for o)r prod)ce. For his part. 'hen he barked so&e orders in Spanish and the soldiers 1ent door to door.
. After the soldiers left. Ae 1ere poor far&ers trying to s)r2i2e and 1e presented no threat to anyone.and ? &ade bean tortillas for hi& to eat along the 1ay. 'he 2illage 1ent on 1ith its nor&al ro)tine 1hile 1e 1aited for the& to ret)rn. 'hey 1anted &y father to acco&pany hi& b)t &y father protested that he had too &)ch 1ork to do. 'he &orning they left. Ae 1ere al1ays closeand 1e had ne2er been apart. =e kne1 the far&ing b)siness and no one do)bted he 1o)ld be a big help to the priest in finding so&eone to sol2e o)r proble&. =e said there 1ere co&&)nists )p in the &o)ntains 1ho 1anted to kill )s. =e said 1e 1ere not radicals o)t to o2erthro1 the go2ern&ent. 'hen they dro2e off.spiced I)st the 1ay he liked the&.

'hey fo)nd a &an 1ho co)ld help )s. ? co)ld only listen and 1ish ? had gone along. Ae told hi& that his efforts 1ere only likely to inf)riate the 퍠Ԇ &ilitary.it beca&e i&possible not to look )pon hi& as one of o)r o1n.1here 1e co)ld bargain collecti2ely for higher prices. *y people had a tendency to defer to hi&. And ? ha2e learned 1hat is done 1ith these boys. =is na&e 1as *a)rice and the first diffic)lty he had to o2erco&e 1as the lang)age barrier and the class barrier. *a)rice 1o)ld not allo1 this. =e insisted 1e 1ere all eM)als and he 1as al1ays interested in hearing the opinion of others. 'heir M)est 1as a s)ccess. ? 1as thankf)l &y brother 1as spared that fate.Pepito 1as f)ll of stories abo)t the sights he had seen and the places he had been. 'hen they are ta)ght to kill and tort)re. Another 1eek passed before Pepito ret)rned. 'hey are brain1ashed into belie2ing their o1n people are 1orthless sc)& that &)st be p)nished.1o&an or child.? ha2e learned this sort of thing happens far too often.and Pepito and ? aided hi& as interpreters. 'he labor organiEer arri2ed a fe1 days later. 'his 1ay 1e co)ld ens)re 1e 1ere not paying too &)ch and none of )s 1o)ld ha2e to do 1itho)t.'hese 1ere boys ? had gro1n )p 1ith. As he toiled beside )s in the fields.had he been here. 'hat ? kno1 ofnone of the& 1ere e2er heard fro& again.*a)rice 1o)ld gather e2eryone together and disc)ss the changes that &)st be &ade to p)ll )s o)t of po2erty.b)t he had to try. 'hose fe1 1ho resist the brain1ashing lose their &inds if not their li2es.*a)rice tra2eled 1ith only Pepito to aid hi& in
. =e 1as a 2ery hard 1orker too. First their spirits are broken 1ith hard 1ork and ab)se. *ost of the& are sacrificed in battles and s)icide &issions. =e 1as a labor organiEer 1ho had to lea2e the city to escape persec)tion. *a)rice 1as a 2ery kind and gi2ing &an.I)st as soon as he co)ld lea2e the city.and to keep their eyes cast do1n 1hen he 1as present. Pepito 1as saddened to learn of the disappearance of his friends and relati2es.and they are forced to practice these skills on innocent people )ntil they gro1 n)&b to their o1n blood letting. After a fe1 days.he co)ld ha2e done nothing and 1o)ld ha2e been lost along 1ith the others. 'henas he beca&e kno1n and tr)sted. 'hey are forced to learn Spanish and p)nished for )sing their nati2e tong)e. At first a delegation fro& o)r 2illage 1ent 1ith hi&. Pepito said this &an told hi& 1hat 1e needed 1as to for& an agric)lt)ral cooperati2e 1ith the neighboring 2illages. 'he priest 1as also dist)rbed to learn 1hat happened.not at all like the i&age &ost of )s pict)red 1hen 1e tho)ght of city people.be it &an.and he 1o)ld be follo1ing a fe1 days after Pepito and the priest. =e left again soon after1ards to &ake a for&al co&plaint and see if he co)ld resc)e those boys. O2er father+s obIections. Ae had to Ioin 1ith neighboring 2illages to bargain for better prices for o)r crops. =e talked abo)t an irrigation proIect and e2ent)ally p)rchasing a tractor and other far& eM)ip&ent.*a)rice began the task of 2isiting the neighboring 2illages to pers)ade the& to Ioin 1ith )s. 'ho)gh he 1as 2ery glad to be ho&e. 'ho)gh.and asha&ed he had not been 1ith )s. Since that day. ?n the e2ening.along 1ith the priest. Ae also began to teach hi& o)r *ayan dialect. =e said 1e needed a regional cooperati2e to p)rchase the goods 1e needed.close friends and co)sins.alongside the rest of )s.*a)rice insisted on 1orking in the fields. 'he 2illagers e$pected hi& to organiEe 1hile they 1ent on 1ith their far&ingb)t *a)rice e$plained he 1o)ld be asha&ed not to 1ork for his roo& and board. =e stayed in o)r ho)se 1hile the priest 1as a1ay.

'he b)yers 1ere o)traged.the priest disappeared en ro)te fro& one 2illage to another.his eyes 1ere go)ged o)t and the back of his sk)ll 1as &issing. Ahen *a)rice tra2eled.sharing the 1ork and the 2isits to s)rro)nding 2illages.b)t he insisted.*a)rice began to tra2el by hi&self. ?n the follo1ing 1eeks. 'he ne$t &orning he 1as fo)nd hanging fro& a tree o)tside of to1n. *a)rice told )s he &)st lea2e. Jot long after the har2est.and o)r pleas for help fell on deaf ears.1e co)ld be certain the %h)rch 1as displeased 1ith o)r priest+s actions.s&ashing his head on the rocks belo1.b)t there 1ere &any &ore to follo1. Finally the local captain of police paid *a)rice a 2isit and 1arned hi& that if he re&ained 1ith )s any longer he 1o)ld lose his life. :illages that had recently been cla&oring to Ioin the cooperati2e no1 1anted nothing to do 1ith it. Aeeklyso&ebody 1o)ld go &issing fro& one of the 2illages.b)t they co)ld not play )s one against the other any &ore and so they had to deal 1ith the collecti2e. =is contin)ed presence 1as a hindrance to the cooperati2e and a danger to )s all.translation. 'hose 1ho fo)nd hi& said he 1as beaten. At one 2illage.e2en 1ith escorts. Before long. By the end of s)&&er 1e had se2en 2illages Ioined together in an agric)lt)ral cooperati2e.his death 1as r)led an accident. =is ears.nose and fingers 1ere &issing.and his genitals had been c)t off and st)ffed into his &o)th. All the deaths 1ere r)led accidental. 'ho)gh he told )s nothing abo)t these &eetings. Finally. 'hey said he &)st ha2e doEed off 1hile riding on his b)rro and fallen o2er the side of the ra2ine.the priest had se2eral 2isits fro& his s)periors. *a)rice gre1 &ore &orose 1ith each death.only to t)rn )p dead.b)t *a)rice 1arned )s that if the collecti2e gre1 too po1erf)l.ha2ing been battered and tort)red.1e sent a delegation incl)ding representati2es of each 2illage to bargain 1ith the b)yers.they 1ere certain so&eone 1as follo1ing the&. Ae 1ere basking in o)r s)ccess.*a)rice recei2ed 2isits fro& se2eral &ore 2illages that 1ished to Ioin o)r cooperati2e. *a)rice left in the &iddle of the night. *a)rice acco&panied the&.
. =e ca)tioned )s to conser2e o)r profits and contin)e b)ilding o)r cooperati2e slo1ly and M)ietly. =e placed Pepito and &y father in charge of the cooperati2e.b)t if he stayed they 1o)ld certainly get 1orse. After &aking his for&al protest abo)t the boys abd)cted by the &ilitary. After a long searchhis body 1as fo)nd in a ra2ine. *a)rice 1as no longer safe tra2eling by hi&self.as he gre1 proficient eno)gh 1ith o)r lang)age. Pepito contin)ed to help hi& 1ith the organiEing. 퍠Ԇ 'his 1as the first of the deaths. 'he priest also lect)red )s on the dangers of false pride.he kne1 all abo)t *a)rice and referred to hi& d)ring ser2ice as the De2il+s &inion.and o)r drea&s and o)r hopes see&ed to lea2e 1ith hi&. *a)rice and Pepito 1ere treated as heroes. =e said the cooperati2e 1as nothing &ore than co&&)nis& and it 1as the De2il+s o1n 1ork.the a)thorities 1o)ld feel threatened. <ight a1ay this priest began chiding )s for falling on e2il 1ays. Officially. After har2est.o2er *a)rice+s protests. After a co)ple of &onths a ne1 priest 1as assigned to )s. =e said that if he left the &)rders &ight stop.along 1ith &any others.bla&ing hi&self for e2erything that 1as happening. 'he delegation ret)rned tri)&phant and 1e reIoiced to finally recei2e fair co&pensation for o)r labors. Ae begged hi& not to go. =e ad2ised the& to let things rest o2er the ne$t fe1 &onths and then to res)&e organiEing in secrecy.he and Pepito 1ere pelted 1ith garbage.tho)gh he did not take part in the act)al bargaining.

and it 1as solely d)e to hi& that the cooperati2e 1as not abandoned altogether. #2ery day the planes fle1 o2er )s.b)t they stayed a1ay fro& o)r 2illage so as not to dra1 )s into the conflict. As fate 1o)ld ha2e it. Ae told the& none of the 1orkers ca&e to o)r 2illage.the &ilitary 1ere s1ar&ing o2er the co)ntryside.b)t all the sa&e 1hen it 1as ti&e for the ne$t har2est they 1o)ld bargain collecti2ely. 'he plantation o1ner+s sec)rity g)ards responded 1ith g)nfire.the 1orkers had connected 1ith the rebel forces operating in the &o)ntains. B)t not Pepito. As talk of the cooperati2e died do1n. 'he ne1 priest told )s @od 1as forgi2ing )s. 'he 퍠Ԇ o)r 2illage and clai& o)r poor land as their plantation o1ners had long desired to 1ipe o)t o1n. 'he plantation o1ner and his fa&ily had already fled after the &ilitia 1as defeated.and 1ithin ho)rs one of the banana gro2es 1as afla&e. 'his 1as the tr)th0 1e 1ere in contact 1ith the&. :iolence er)pted as h)ngry 1orkers broke into the store. #2eryone fled.prices at the plantation store had risen. Jeighboring plantations Ioined together to for& a &ilitia to h)nt do1n the rebellio)s 1orkers. 'roops 1ere o)t co&bing the fields. Acc)sations 1ere &ade against o)r 2illage.and the ne$t day the g)erillas descended on the plantation 1here the tro)ble had started.e2en tho)gh he kne1 1e co)ld do nothing else for the &o&ent. Aithin days.d)&ping their poison on o)r ho&es and fields.1e 1ere 1arned of their arri2al by one of the far&ers. A band of g)erillas ca&e do1n to ar& and reinforce the 1orkers. *y brother took o2er *a)rice+s 1ork. 'he &ilitia finally s)cceeded in tracking the& do1n. B)t they did not dri2e o)t the 1orkers. So they 1ent on organiEing and planning in secret. Unable to locate the 1orkers. 'heir &ansion and the plantation store 1ere both looted and then set afla&e. 'he &orning the ar&y ret)rned to o)r 2illage. 'he plantation o1ners clai&ed 1e had planted seeds of rebellion 1ith talk of 1orker+s rights and labor )nions.that s)&&er tro)ble 1as bre1ing on one of the neighboring banana plantations. Ae lost a lot of li2estock and &any of )s beca&e sick. 'he 1orkers and the g)erillas 2anished into the &o)ntains.)nkno1n to the plantation o1ners.and e2eryone breathed a sigh of relief.de&anding 1e t)rn o2er any 1orkers 1e &ight be hiding. 'he &ilitia 1as beaten.#2en father 1as ready to gi2e )p after that.and for se2eral days the co)ntryside 1as blanketed by a poisono)s fog. For the past co)ple of years. =e re&inded the& of lo2ed ones 1ho died and e$plain that all of their deaths 1o)ld be in 2ain if 1e backed do1n no1. =e 1ent fro& 2illage to 2illage. 'hey searched the plantation and the s)rro)nding co)ntryside to no a2ail. 'hey loaded crop d)sters 1ith their &ost po1erf)l pesticides.enco)raging people not to gi2e )p on the little 1e had gained.so did the death rate. ?t 1as to his credit so fe1 left the cooperati2e.gathering the &en and &arching
. 'he plantation o1ner ret)rned to be&oan his losses. One 1orker 1as killed. 'he ar&y 1as re&inded that 1e for&ed a co&&)nist organiEation. #2en o)r 1ell 1as conta&inated.the plantation o1ners decided to dri2e the& o)t.only to find the&sel2es in a battle 1ith seasoned g)erilla fighters. By this ti&e.and no1 the 1orkers fo)nd their pay 1as being c)t. 'hen they ca&e to o)r 2illage. Jor 1as o)r 2illage e$cl)ded. 'hey 1o)ld not call the&sel2es a cooperati2e any&ore. 'hey co)ld no longer afford to feed the&sel2es. Pepito co&plained abo)t the prices 1e had to pay for goods.

b)t 1hen he 1as done the co&&ander nodded and p)t his g)n a1ay. 1as the real leader of the cooperati2e. ? began to str)ggle.and he and the co&&ander both la)ghed. 'he A&erican ad2isor lo)nged against the side of a Ieep as he 1atched 1hat happened ne$t. =e said it 1o)ld be 1orse for )s and for o)r &en if 1e did not gi2e o)rsel2es )p. =e called Pepito a dirty co&&)nist and said the de2il &)st be dri2en fro& his so)l. 'hey each took t)rns. Soon the soldiers began to arri2e. Soon the co&&ander arri2ed.? co)ld hear the co&&ander asking the priest 1hich of the far&ers 1ere &e&bers of the cooperati2e. =e said Pepito 1as only a boy. Jone of )s dared to sho1 o)rsel2es. *y father contin)ed to plead. 'hey 1ere herded together in the to1n sM)are 1hile soldiers searched the to1n. =e said the co&&ander needed to talk to )s abo)t the tro)ble on the plantation. &y father .ref)sing to be M)iet tho)gh the co&&ander told hi& repeatedly to sh)t )p. =e called for the& to stop in the na&e of @od. =e thre1 hi&self in front of the co&&ander and pleaded for Pepito+s life.b)t he soon began to screa&.b)t he . At this point the shoot hi& in the head I)st as he had shot the A&erican soldier spoke )p. =e de&anded that Pepito confess to all of his e2il intentions.&en1o&en and children.the co&&ander called on Pepito once &ore to confess. Finally.the soldiers began skinning Pepito ali2e. 'here 1as an A&erican soldier 1ith the&.ob2io)sly at Pepito+s e$pense.the soldiers ret)rned to the sM)are.the co&&ander ordered that father sho)ld be gagged )sing strips of skin fro& Pepito+s legs.intending to 퍠Ԇdog on the pre2io)s 2isit.p)shing the far&ers ahead of the&. =e only so)ght to keep his 2illage fro& star2ing. 'he A&erican spoke briefly. Soldiers laid hold of hi& 1hile the co&&ander and the priest conferred for a &in)te.1e took all the children and hid in the fields and forests o)tside of the 2illage. 'his far&er &anaged to flee in ad2ance of the&. 'he A&erican &ade so&e Ioke. Ahile the soldiers re&o2ed their kni2es fro& their sheaths.saying he 1as the leader. =e told Pepito his 2ery breath poisoned the air and conta&inated the l)ngs of e2eryone else 1ho dre1 breath aro)nd hi&. By order of the co&&ander. 'he co&&ander p)lled o)t his handg)n and pointed it at Pepito.the co&&ander said he did not belie2e hi&. =e told )s to co&e o)t of hiding and Ioin o)r &en. After being infor&ed the 2illage 1as deserted.one of the &any ad2isors sent by the United States to aid o)r &ilitary.Pepito 1as stripped naked and tied to a tree. 'hen the priest called o)t in *ayan. 'he co&&ander lo1ered his g)n and listened. Follo1ing the co&&ander+s instr)ctions.the co&&ander spoke to the priest for a &o&ent.1here he 1o)ld ha2e to
.b)t a large neighbor 1o&an held &e do1n. Pepito protested he had done nothing 1rong.acco&panied by the priest. =e 1as held in front of Pepito. 'hen the co&&ander spoke to his soldiers. Fro& 1here ? 1as hiding. By this ti&e 1e co)ld see s&oke o2er the fields and 1e kne1 they had set fire to o)r crops. 'he priest pointed o)t Pepito. Pepito and father 1ere 1ith the&. 'hey bro)ght Pepito for1ard and the co&&ander yelled at hi&. Finding the 2illage deserted. Father begged for Pepito+s life. Before the ar&y arri2ed.the& back to the 2illage at g)npoint. Starting at his ankles.they c)t s&all strips of skin and peeled the& )p his legs. Pepito tried to hold back his cries. Dosing his te&per. Pepito re&ained silent. *y father co)ld take no &ore.

She &anaged to reach )p and scratch his cheek. Dooking at the fear in her eyes. 'o protect &e.crying and &aking choked. =e held her still and spoke to her for a &o&ent. =e said so&ething to the co&&ander as he held her and la)ghed. 'hen they raped the 1o&en.&i$ed 1ith the cries of all the others.nearly con2)lsing 1hen he 1as to)ched. 'he tort)re contin)ed )ntil all of the skin 1as re&o2ed fro& Pepito+s legs. 'o be honest. 'he co&&ander anno)nced that e2eryone sho)ld re2eal the&sel2es or all the &en 1o)ld share a fate si&ilar to Pepito. ?t 1as i&possible that anyone 1o)ld ha2e s)r2i2ed in there.e2en the oldest and the yo)ngest. 'hese soldiers had lost their so)ls long ago. Ahen the &en in the ho)se tried to break o)t in order to protect their 1i2es and da)ghters. ?n blind terror. 'he soldiers separated the &en fro& the 1o&en and children and herded the& into one of the ho)ses. A n)&ber of people ga2e the&sel2es )p and 1ere herded together 1ith the &en. And ho1 a priest co)ld stand by and allo1 s)ch a thing to happen is inconcei2able. ?t 1as horrible 1hat happened that day.the soldiers shot )p the place. At a nod fro& the co&&anderone of the soldiers stepped o2er and p)t a b)llet thro)gh his head. At the co&&ander+s order. 'hey started by taking the babies and toddlers and s&ashing their heads against the stones of the co&&)nity 1ell. ? did hear her screa&s. *y &other c)rsed the soldiers.ar&sback and chest. B)t ? had been heard. She thre1 herself on top of &e and st)ffed &y blo)se into &y &o)th to stifle &y cries.? do not think she co)ld keep M)iet any longer. *y father had lost his &ind by this ti&e.he &ade a contin)o)s. Dater.he s&iled and dragged her off. Pepito had stopped screa&ing by this ti&e. ? don+t think they e2er e$pected one.b)t soldiers grabbed her and held her there. ?nstead. =e knelt beside Pepito+s body.
.she ran by the A&erican and he reached o)t to catch her. O)r neighbor held &e do1n and pre2ented &e fro& Ioining &y &other.lo1 g)tt)ral &oan. By this ti&e the fields aro)nd )s 1ere all afla&e and the air 1as hea2y 1ith s&oke.and he shi2ered. =e took a great deal of pleas)re in the sla)ghter. 'he A&erican ad2isor 1atched intently. 'he priest repeated this co&&and in *ayan. ? 1ent li&p and cried M)ietly.&y &other re2ealed herself. 'he h)&or left his face and so&ething 2ery dangero)s took its place. She 1as like a doll ne$t to hi&. 'his 1as &ore than ? co)ld bear0 ? tried to screa& and fo)ght to free &yself fro& the neighbor 1o&an+s grasp.g)rgling noises thro)gh his gag of flesh. =)&ans cannot beha2e like that. 'hen the &assacre began. 'heir li&p bodies 1ere thro1n into the 1ell.kicking and screa&ingbehind a ho)se. 'hey 1o)ld get no confession fro& hi&.1atch the tort)re. She tried to free herself so she co)ld go to the bodies of her h)sband and her son. 'hat 1as the last ti&e ? sa1 D)cia. ? sa1 &y friend D)cia break free of the soldiers 1ho 1ere tor&enting her.one of the soldiers dre1 his knife thro)gh Pepito+s throat and his &oaning ceased as the life drained o)t of hi&. She ran to &y father and &y brother.it 1as added to father+s gag. 'he 1alls 1ere riddled 1ith b)llet holes. And e2ery ti&e a fresh strip of skin 1as re&o2ed fro& Pepito.1e fo)nd they had s&ashed her head against the 1all and then c)t her throat. 'he soldiers dragged her o2er to the side of the 퍠Ԇ co&&)nity center 1here 1e co)ld not see 1hat happened.1ith g)ards posted at e2ery door and 1indo1.

starting 1ith the ho)se 1here the &en had been herded. G%hi&ala _io&ara. And yo)r fatherFs na&e 1as *i$co ')y)c.the soldiers loaded into tr)cks and left. *y a)nt bro)ght &e 1ith her. =e 1as an e2il &an. GAhat is yo)r real na&eKG *aria co)ld not belie2e her &other had been li2ing )nder an ass)&ed na&e all these years.G G'hen 1hy did yo) tell &e all this no1KG GBeca)se yo) need to kno1 1here yo) ca&e fro& and ho1 the 1orld 1orks. (o)r father tr)ly cared for &e. A fe1 of the s)r2i2ors stayed on.and that anger t)rned to passion. GJo. Ae &anaged to escape.and ? 1o)ld ha2e killed hi& if ? had the chance.G *aria h)gged her &other. ?t ser2ed hi& right. Aith e2erything aro)nd the& ablaEe.G @abriella kept her do)bts to herself. 'he rest of )s are either in their 1ay.
. Ae took Spanish na&es and Io)rneyed north thro)gh *e$ico.G GA&bos 2a&os.Once e2eryone 1as dead .and he kne1 that if he did not get &e o)t of that ca&p. Ae heard there 1as 1ork in the &aM)iladoras. (o)r sister escaped to a better life. ? learned this 1orld is for the selfish and the heartless.seated behind the co&&ander and the A&erican ad2isor in a Ieep. 'he priest left 1ith the&. ?n the ref)ge ca&p ? ga2e )p on &y drea& of the o)tside 1orld. b)t for those of )s 1ho re&ained hidden .? 1as pregnant.*a&i. ? ga2e )p on e2erything e$cept the hard anger that b)rned inside &e.Q 'he na&e so)nded so foreign co&ing o)t of her 퍠Ԇ &o)th. the soldiers set all of the b)ildings on fire. ? ne2er sa1 or heard of that A&erican ad2isor again. 'hen ? &et yo)r father. By the ti&e 1e got here.G 'he sadness of a life filled 1ith hardship co)ld be heard in her &otherFs 2oice. ? heard the priest 1as later killed by other far&ers 1ho had lost relati2es in the 2illage. G? do not 1ant all &y children to perish as tragically as &y brother and &y parents did. G'he past is dead and gone0 let it rest.and ? 1ish yo) 1o)ld too.or 1e are beasts for the& to e$ploit. GAe 1ill both Ioin D)cinda. ? 1as in shock for &ost of the Io)rney and do not re&e&ber &)ch of it.&o2ing in 1ith relati2es in neighboring 2illages.G G'hen ? a& really *aria ')y)c.? 1o)ld be lost. ? 1as a&ong the &any 1ho fled the co)ntry for ref)ge ca&ps in *e$ico.estZs *aria DiaE-G @abriella ass)red her.

@abriella anno)nced that she 1anted to go back to 1ork. Fort)nately.*aria and another 1o&an constr)cted a platfor& for her of spare pallets and other 1ood.Gyo)Fre in a 1heelchair. for a lo1er 1age. Breaks 1ere another &atter. '1o co1orkers 1o)ld lay do1n the ply1ood and then prop it back against the side of the b)ilding after *aria 1heeled her &other )p the steps. She tried sitting on pillo1s.b)t she began carrying an inhaler
.G *aria ga2e in. (o) donFt ha2e yo)r health back yet.and got 2ery little done.G *aria &ade a final obIection. G'he air there is no good for yo).ho1e2er. ?t 1ill not kill &e. 'he factory 1as not designed for 1heelchairsand @abriella had to fig)re o)t ho1 퍠Ԇ to circ)&2ent 2ario)s obstacles 1itho)t losing ti&e or other1ise c)tting into co&pany profits. So she had to hold it the entire ti&e she 1as at 1ork1hich 1as 2ery )nco&fortable and led to infections and other proble&s. And 1ith her &other 1orking. ?t is lonely here. 'he gar&ent factory 1as only too happy to hire @abriella back . She 1as glad eno)gh to ret)rn to 1ork. GB)t *a&i-G *aria pointed o)t. Once inside.@abriella 1as happy to ret)rn to 1ork.so *aria co)ld help her &other get to 1ork. All day long she did battle 1ith &e&ories that so)ght to red)ce her to tears.G GY( M)[K ? can sit in this chair I)st as easily in front of a 1ork station as ? can here at ho&e.she co)ld reach the tabletop 1itho)t a proble&.despite the lo1er 1ages and all the other diffic)lties that popped )p.and the da)ghter 1ho had left.+1& 8abriella A fe1 &onths later.she ate at her station.tho)gh she 1orried abo)t her &otherFs health and sta&ina. ?t 1as not feasible.she 1as ha)nted by the &e&ory of the sons she had lost. 'he first obstacle 1as the front steps.G Ahat she did not say 1as that. She pretended there 1as nothing 1rong. ? need to get o)t. She kne1 ho1 hard it 1as for her &other to sit at ho&e all day.instead of 1orking three t1el2e ho)r shifts in a ro1. After that. She spent half of her first shift str)ggling to reach the 1ork station. By the ti&e @abriella had been back at 1ork for a year. ? a& )sed to 1ork.alone in the shack all day. ? cannot sit aro)nd here all day.she de2eloped a co)gh and a 1heeEe.the personnel &anager sched)led *aria and @abriella together. S)ch 1as not the case. ?t 1as for her o1n sanity that she needed to ret)rn to 1ork. ?nstead of str)ggling back and forth for the short fifteen &in)te l)nch break.G GJonsense. Secretly. 'he sol)tion 1as to &ake a ra&p 1ith a large piece of ply1ood one of her co1orkers fo)nd littering the gro)nd o)t by the loading docks. D)ring l)nch break.b)t they did not raise her )p high eno)gh.G GB)t yo) are still reco2ering. Dife i&pro2ed.of co)rse. G?F2e been breathing that air for t1enty-fo)r years. @abriella kidded that it 1as a di&inished 1age for a di&inished 1o&an.*aria 1as able to c)t back to a single shift.she hoped the gar&ent factory 1o)ld not hire so&eone in a 1heelchair.@abriella fo)nd the 1ork stations 1ere designed for people standingand so 1ere a little too high for her. ? a& as healthy as ? a& e2er going to be. And she ga2e )p on )sing the la2atory 1hile at 1ork. Despite the incon2eniences.

She 1o)ld rather 1ork triple shifts than ha2e her &other go back to 1ork again. 'he long.she had to p)t on the respirator &ask and open the 2al2e to the o$ygen tank they kept strapped to the back of her chair. Ahen she had been 1orking for abo)t a year and a half. For the rest of her days.tho)gh she tried to hide this fro& her da)ghter.G'hese painkillers are s)pposed to be )sed for pain. Jot that there 1as a Iob 1aiting for her any&ore. Disg)sted at the disr)ption. S)re eno)gh.*aria told SeXor Ortega of her 1orries and s)spicions.and had to resort to it &ore often than she 1ished. Secretly.1ith her at all ti&es.t1o days after1ard a M)arter of the total s)pply 2anished. ?n ti&e. @abriella ne2er reco2ered fro& this last &isfort)ne.she 1as sent ho&e 1ith a respirator and 1as told not to try 1orking again. She spent a 1eek in an o$ygen tent. She kne1 her &other 1o)ld ne2er do s)ch a thing. Poor tho)gh it 1as.for heat or cooking.@abriella e$perienced respiratory fail)re 1hile she 1as at 1ork.he added.the fore&an called an a&b)lance to co&e get her o)t of there so that e2eryone else co)ld res)&e 1ork.1hile the doctors la&ented there 1as little else they co)ld do for her.if her &other 1as selling the dr)gs. ? 1o)ld hate to think they 1ere being sold on the street. 'he personnel &anager told *aria in no )ncertain ter&s there 1as no place in the factory for her &other. As the 1eeks dragged on into a year and &ore. 'he doctors said she only had a thirty-fi2e percent l)ng capacity. Jeeding so&eone to talk to.e2en after repeated application of the inhaler. Ahene2er they lit the sto2e.her breath 1as ragged and she fo)ght for air.ho1e2er. 'he doctors told achie2e. She 1as going thro)gh her &onthly s)pply of &orphine too M)ickly. 'he bo)ts of back pain eased )p after she left the factory. After a 1eek.G
. Follo1ing the &onthly 2isit to the clinic.lea2ing her to spend the re&ainder of the &onth in agoniEing pain.she had to )se the inhaler &ore and &ore often.and then said 1ith si&ple con2iction. 'hen *aria began to see signs that her &otherFs back condition 1as deteriorating. As ti&e 1ent on.the &orphine see&ed to help less 1hen she did ha2e it.tho)gh they re&ained 1orse than they 1ere before she res)&ed 1ork. 'he doctor said there 1as no noticeable change in her condition and the &orphine sho)ld be &ore than adeM)ate. *aria 1ent 1ith @abriella to her &onthly appoint&ent and dre1 her doctor aside to talk abo)t increasing her &orphine s)pply. F)rther&ore. ?n a so&e1hat acc)satory tone. ?t see&ed like she 1as choking and co)ld not get a breath into her l)ngs.she s)rreptitio)sly &onitored the &orphine s)pply.yet she co)ld not 2anM)ish the do)bt.G(o)r &other is not selling dr)gs. She co)ld not help 1ondering.acti2e shifts sitting on the edge of her seat also aggra2ated her spinal inI)ry.her l)ng capacity b)ilt 퍠Ԇ her that 1as as good as she co)ld hope to back )p to forty-fi2e percent. And the s)pply see&ed to r)n o)t sooner and sooner. She 1as gi2en a larger s)pply of &orphine.)ntil it see&ed the &orphine co)ld only take the edge off the pain.the attacks of ner2e pain increased in freM)ency and se2erity.)sing it if it beca&e too diffic)lt to breathe.for t1o years her health see&ed to hold steady. Fi$ing dinner 1as eno)gh to lea2e her 1heeEing.G *aria 1as offended by the s)ggestion and ass)red the doctor they 1ere doing nothing of the sort. SeXor Ortega heard her o)t.*aria 1as relie2ed.

G=e 1o)ldnFt kill &e if ? si&ply ga2e it to hi&.G *aria kne1 this 1as the e$planation.they can get it for yo) al&ost as M)ickly as if yo) had it at hand. Ahen she 1as s)fficiently 1orriedSeXor Ortega said he had p)rchased a strongbo$ and d)g a secret hiding place )nder his sto2e.*aria set aside eno)gh &orphine to last her &other for a 1eek and bro)ght the rest to SeXor Ortega. =e ass)red her no one 1o)ld e2er find his hiding place. 'hen he told her the strong bo$ had plenty of roo& and offered to store their &oney and 2al)ables. Al1ays 1hen yo) are at 1ork. GPetraKG GSi-G SeXor Ortega confir&ed.and then it da1ned on her. GOn the open &arket. @abriella and *aria disc)ssed the offer and accepted.G Unable to co&e )p 1ith another obIection. 'hey 1aited a &onth beca)se there 1as no telling 1hen Petra 1o)ld ret)rn in the &eanti&e.1hy sho)ld yo) chance it 1hen 1e can keep it safe in SeXor OrtegaFs strong bo$.G *aria had tho)ght thro)gh this entire arg)&ent.it 1o)ld be safer.
.b)t said nothing.into a ledger book.Q And so they laid a trap after @abriella recei2ed her ne$t &onthly s)pply of painkiller.gi2ing SeXor Ortega their &eager sa2ings.)[ pasaK Ahy are they disappearing so M)icklyKG G(o)r &other has a 2isitor. G(o) donFt need all of it at one ti&e.i&pressing on @abriella that it 1as not safe to keep &oney or other 2al)ables in the shack. And yo) 1o)ld be safer.*aria co)ntered all of her &otherFs obIections and 1ore her do1n )ntil she agreed.G G*a&i.G G'here is no telling 1hat a I)nkie in need of a fi$ 1ill do. Ahen they reached ho&e. ?t doesnFt &ake sense to hide o)r &oney b)t lea2e all that &orphine sitting o)t 1here anyone co)ld steal it. G?F& afraid so.G GSheFs gi2ing hi& &orphine.&aybe &ore often. Any1ay.*aria talked abo)t her &otherFs pain killer. 'hey co)ld be certain he 1o)ld 2isit 1ithin a fe1 days after @abriella restocked. GA I)nkie-G @abriella co2ered.kno1ing f)ll 1ell 1ho @abriella 1as talking abo)t. G=e has been 2isiting her t1ice a &onth. GAe can keep eno)gh for yo)r i&&ediate needs and let SeXor Ortega take care of the rest. 'hen he placed their &oney and the ledger book into his strong bo$ and hid it as he had told the&.he 1o)ld kill yo) to get it.Q GAhoKG *aria asked. =e 1as o2er I)st yesterday.yo)r pain killer 1o)ld be 1orth &)ch &ore 퍠Ԇ than the little &oney 1e ha2e set aside.G @abriella sat stiffly in her chair.G ?n the end.G GAhat if the pain gets 1orse and ? r)n o)tKG %oncern crept into her 2oice.they started talking abo)t robberies in the neighborhood. 'here is al1ays so&ebody there.G G=e 1o)ldnFt do that. @abriella 1as concerned.G *aria tho)ght abo)t it a &o&ent.along 1ith their na&es.GY.G @abriella pointed o)t rather sharply. ?f yo) need it. ?n the 1eek before her &onthly appoint&ent. G?t 1ill be right ne$t door.G GB)t ? need it. SeXor Ortega 1rote the& a receipt and entered the a&o)nt. G? think 1e sho)ld see if SeXor Ortega 1ill keep it in his strong bo$. On the 1ay ho&e fro& the &onthly 2isit to the clinic.G? donFt kno1.1ho placed it in his strong bo$.@abrielle said si&ply. ?f so&e I)nkie fo)nd o)t yo) had a s)pply of &orphine.

'hey 1ent to the door and *aria thre1 it open. She 1as petting his stringy )n1ashed hair as she cried silently. 'ho)gh they griped abo)t it. G'here 1as an arg)&ent. =e kept a close 1atch on the DiaE ho&e. And D)cinda )p in the US 1ith her o1n fa&ily.neck and hands.his eyes s)nk into his sk)ll and his skin ashen gray.G *ariaFs legs al&ost ga2e o)t as she looked )pon her brother and took in his odor.@abriella regarded the& defensi2ely.G Petra 1as entering the last stage of the disease. *aria h)rried ho&e and fo)nd SeXor Ortega still stationed o)tside her door.'he ne$t day. =e kept his eyes on his sister. As ti&e passed after his death. *aria did not ha2e to enM)ire ho1 her brother ca&e to s)ch a sad end.b)t it has been 2ery M)iet since-G he told her in a 1hisper.her&ana.he looked skeletal.G=olas.1here all that 1as done 1as to try to &ake hi& co&fortable as he died.1hen she tho)ght of hi&.eyes f)ll of fear and insanity.in the charity 1ard. =e 1as &issing teeth and patches of hair. On the table lay a syringe and t1o e&pty a&po)les of &orphine.in 퍠 pain G=e has A?DS-G @abriella told the&.tho)gh not at all s)rprised. ?t 1as a 1onder his do1n1ard spiral 1ent on for as long as it did. *aria stayed 1here she 1as.b)t instead had a 1eak fit of choked co)ghing that left hi& Ԇ and e$ha)stion.he sent one of his other sonFs to fetch *aria fro& 1ork 1hile posting hi&self o)tside the DiaE shack 1ith a sto)t c)dgel he kept in his ho)se sho)ld tro)ble arise. ?t 1as predestined fro& the day he first beca&e addicted to dr)gs. Aorst of all.not the I)nkie ra2aged by dr)gs and disease. She 1o)ld ne2er ha2e recogniEed hi& on the street. GDios &]o-G SeXor Ortega spoke for her. SeXor Ortega stepped back to1ard the door. As they entered the shack. Aith his cheekbones protr)ding. Petra lifted his head and looked at the& lethargically.
. G=e canFt afford treat&ent-G @abriella told the&. #&aciated 1as not the 1ord for it.and 1hen he sa1 Petra slink inside.she tho)ght of the M)iet. GPetra-G 1as all she co)ld say in a breathless 1hi&per.si&ple child he had been. h)ddled on the floor at his &otherFs feet. 'hey placed hi& in the hospital.SeXor Ortega clai&ed to be ill and sent his oldest son o)t 1ith the p)shcart to sell ta&ales. G?F2e been helping hi& as ? can.he had scabro)s lesions on his face. GAhat has happened to yo)KG Petra see&ed not to hear. And then there really 1as only @abriella and *aria left. Petra 1as sitting on the floor 1ith his head on his &otherFs lap.*ariaFs s)per2isors allo1ed her to clock o)t early after they 1ere told her &other had a &edical e&ergency. GDonFt yo) recogniEe yo)r o1n brotherKG =e tried to la)gh.

*aria 1ore herself o)t 1orking in the factoryyet their debts only &o)nted.e2erything e$cept fetching 1ater. @abriella bla&ed herself.i&&igration cost &)ch &ore than they co)ld afford.D)cinda began enco)raging the& to cross the border. @abriella 1asted a1ay.other than to take her o1n life. All she kne1 1as dr)dgery and tragedy. =er pain &edication and her o$ygen tanks.1ere beyond *ariaFs ability to pay the& off. Ahether it 1as done legally or on the sly. She did all the cooking and the ho)sehold chores. =er &other 1as all she had left.+2& Maria 'he ne$t fe1 years passed M)ietly.al1ays concl)ding it 1as beyond their reso)rces to do so.and she did not kno1 the lo2e of a &other for her children.a bo)t of ple)risy.e2en tho)gh they co)ld afford nothing beyond essentials.she spent &ost of her ti&e at the hospital. She ne2er had been 1ith a &anand she had no children. And so @abriella 1atched her da)ghter 1ork herself to the bone. Any1ay.along 1ith her occasional hospital stays. 'o &ake the trip legally 1as far beyond their capability.ca)sed her to seal off her heart and erect a 1all to keep life at bay. Aorseher da)ghter did not kno1 the little bit of life she had. 'he pne)&onia 1o)ld abate after a stay in the hospital. As her &otherFs health failed*aria felt herself sliding into a deep. And all her &other co)ld do 1as 1atch and fret.as an illegal i&&igrant she 1o)ld ha2e tro)ble obtaining the &edical help she needed.she co)ld not afford to do anything.1ashing la)ndry and going to the &arket. ?t 1o)nded her to the &arro1 to see her da)ghter so e$ha)sted and defeated 1hen she sho)ld be in the pri&e of her life.gasping for breath )ntil the end.and finally a pne)&onia that 1o)ld not clear )p.and she liked to 1ander a&ong the stalls and look at the 1ares.b)t it 1as &)ch better than the shanty to1n and the &aM)iladoras.*aria 1o)ld carry her do1n to the ri2er and they 1o)ld do the la)ndry together.dark pit 1here no one 1o)ld e2er find her again.1here she li2ed so little and s)ffered so &)ch. *ariaFs life 1as &ore lonely than e2er. @abriella 1as constantly )rging her da)ghter to go o)t &ore. *aria 1as thirty-t1o 1hen the ine2itable happened/ her &otherFs fragile health failed her. *aria and @abriella did talk abo)t Ioining D)cinda. G(o) are a pretty girl-G she 1o)ld say.this 1as so&ething *aria enIoyed. She tried to keep their ho2el as neat and coEy as possible. 'he loss of her brothers in s)ch terrible circ)&stances. ?t 1as her only o)ting. G@o o)t and &eet a &an. @abriella 1as resigned to spending the rest of her days in this shack. On 1ashing day. She fretted that her greatest dread 1as co&ing tr)e/ her da)ghter 1as beco&ing her.G *aria al1ays begged off. #2en before PetraFs death. #2en hospital care 1ith 2entilators and a f)ll co)rse of antibiotics had little effect. And *aria 1o)ld not think of lea2ing 1itho)t her &other.saying she 1as too tired. 'hey &ight be able to sa2e eno)gh to b)y passage fro& a coyote. As for going to the &arket. 'he only ray of light in their li2es 1as the occasional letter fro& D)cinda.partic)larly the death of 퍠Ԇ Pepito. And once they &ade the passage. (et there 1as little @abriella co)ld do abo)t it.only to ret)rn in f)ll force 1ithin a &onth of her release. @abriellaFs respiratory proble&s 1orsened )ntil she began s)ffering fro& lo1er respiratory infections.b)t @abriella co)ld not &ake the trip in a 1heelchair.
. She co)ld not negotiate the ri2erbank in her 1heelchair in order to do the first t1o chores.she told the&. Ahen she 1as not at 1ork. Dife in the states 1as not easy. *aria did not kno1 the lo2e of t1o ad)lts for each other.

?t 1as kno1n that so&eday he 1o)ld be ele2ated to )pper &anage&ent. =o1e2er. As she 1ept.G
.she felt the 1ar& thrill of his to)ch.she had to ad&it he 1as attracti2eand there 1as a certain che&istry bet1een the&.she associated a fa&ily 1ith pain and loss. =e did not notice her at first.G 'o herself. She isnFt doing 1ell. ?t 1as an oppressi2e 2ie1. She 1o)nd )p by a corner of the factory near the e$ec)ti2e parking lot. She stifled her 1eeping.1hether he deser2ed it or not. Aord in the factory pegged hi& as a 1o&aniEer 1ho enIoyed &aking conM)ests a&ong the prettier e&ployees. G=a2e a fa&ily of yo)r o1n and li2e-G she 1o)ld croak o)t the inI)nction.)[ pasaKG Ahat is 1rongK *aria rose fro& her seat.*aria 1ondered 1hy she told hi& this. *aria tried to re&ain M)iet. At least today there 1as no illness in the sky. 'he bleakness of this scene reso)nded 1ith her sorro1 and left her 1eeping 1ith despair. Dooking )p at the s)n. Ahen he 1as aro)nd.and 1hen 1eather conditions 1ere right it 1o)ld settle on the shackscoating e2erything and e2eryone in dark soot.he stretched and drank in the s)nshine and 1ar&th.Don *artin. Ahile she ignored his ad2ances. 'ho)gh *aria considered hi& a spoiled brat.she 1as secretly thrilled by his attention. ? &)st get back to 1ork.her face 1et 1ith tears. leading fro& the parking lot to the factory offices .s)nny day. opened and o)t stepped Don *artin. L At the factory there 1as a s)per2isor. 'he day after the doctors told her that her &other 1as no longer responding to treat&ent and had only 1eeks left. 'he predo&inant 1ind carried that s&oke o2er the shantyto1n. G? donFt kno1 ho1 ? 1ill e2er pay the hospital bills. Until no1. G(o) ha2e ti&e yet.1ho had his eye on *aria for so&e ti&e. ?t 1as late Jo2e&ber. *any of the factories 1ere belching o)t s&oke in an atte&pt to obliterate the bright s)n. Dooking o)t o2er the blacktopped dri2e1ay and the fancy cars. ?n *ariaFs &ind.her &other 1as so tro)bled by her da)ghterFs loneliness that *aria agreed to start dating &erely to obey her &otherFs 1ishes and relie2e her 1orries. (et.G Aait.and she did not 1ant to p)t herself thro)gh that again.@abriella )rged her da)ghter to find a &an. GY.she sa1 only the other. G*ariaKG =e approached her.yet it 1as a 1ar&.G G#spere.neighboring factories and the littered gro)nds bet1een the&.Ahen she co)ld talk.looking for so&e solit)de 1here she co)ld deal 1ith the grief she felt descending )pon her. ?t is so lonely 1itho)t her.she had to be on constant g)ard against the b)tterflies in the pit of her sto&ach. GJada.she 1rapped the tortilla back )p and set it on the gro)nd beside her.he see&ed honestly concerned.she had resisted all of his ad2ances. =is escapades 1ith the e&ployees 1ere tolerated beca)se he 1as the nephe1 of the co&pany president.G Dooking at her. Don reached o)t and to)ched her ar& to stay her. GAhy are yo) cryingKG G*y &other is in the hospital again. #2en thro)gh her o2er1hel&ing sadness. =e 1as a handso&e &an in his &id-thirties.*aria took her l)nch o)tside. *aria sat on an old crate and looked forlornly at the bean tortilla she bro)ght for l)nch.a nearby door . 퍠Ԇ Jot 1ishing to pretend she had an appetite.Don sensed her presence and looked o2er to see her sitting on the crate.

=e pa)sed to look her o2er before p)lling o)t. =e held her )ntil she 1as all cried o)t. G SeXora DiaE.half-e$pecting hi& to be gone. ?t 1as an older &odel. %o&e on.G Don *artin let her go.? 1ant to cheer yo) )p. ?t 1as I)st a little frightening to find he 1as still there.yo) keep it.she said.she leaned )p and kissed hi& on the cheek.1hile she 1ent to her shack. GAnd if ? 1ent abo)t like this.1here Don *artin acco&panied her inside to 2isit her &other.G Don set the record straight. 'hen she ca)ght herself and retreated. GDet &e take yo) to dinner.G GDet &e dri2e yo). =e offered to acco&pany her. ?t퍠 1as 1as pro)d of it.G 'hey 1ent to the hospital. B)t *aria.G *aria bl)shed.? 1o)ld not be safe on the streets. ?n a 2oice hardly &ore than a broken 1hisper.yo) 1ill ne2er be alone if yo) donFt 1ant to be. G? kne1 yo) 1ere pretty. 'hen he offered her a handkerchief to dry her eyes. GJo.and *aria co)ld tell Don bankr)pt and 1as bo)ght o)t by =y)nda. ?t 1as e$actly 1hat she needed.b)t *aria co)ld tell he 1as leery of lea2ing his car there. ?f yo) ca&e to 1ork looking like thatyo) 1o)ld ha2e an office Iob in no ti&e. GShe 1as a good 1o&an.she offered hi& back his handkerchief.and oh it felt so good.cli&bing into the passenger seat of a %a&ero ne$t to a 1ell-to-do and handso&e &an 1ho only had eyes for her.she fo)nd hi& 1aiting for her o)tside.tho)gh this fright ga2e an edge to the 1ar& Ioy that s)ff)sed her body. *aria tried to tell herself this co)ld not be happening0 she 1as far too old to be going o)t on a first date 1ith b)tterflies in her sto&ach.G She indicated her 1ork clothes. She b)ried her head in his chest and cried.changed into her only good dress. Don dro2e a black %a&ero. G?F& 2ery sorry abo)t yo)r &other-G he said sincerely.&ore affectionately.
. (et here she 1as. *aria directed hi& to the shantyto1n and asked hi& to 1ait in his car on the o)tskirts. She ass)red hi& she 1o)ld be all right.b)t ? ne2er kne1 I)st ho1 bea)tif)l yo) 1ere )ntil no1.co&forting her. On i&p)lse.Q G@racias.and pro&ised to ret)rn M)ickly.he 1as h)gging her.@abriella 1a2ed aside his concern. After that. Ae can stop by yo)r place so yo) can change clothes and freshen )p. G? really &)st get back to 1ork.'he ne$t thing she kne1.keeping his ar& aro)nd her sho)lder.giddy as a girl.? a& sorry to find yo) in s)ch poor health.G =e h)gged her again.G She s&iled at hi&. Ahen they parted. 'hen ? 1ill take yo) to the hospital to 2isit yo)r &other. GSerZ b)eno-G he said in a soothing 2oice as he rocked her.G GSi-G *aria ga2e in. And 1hen her shift 1as done.G Fro& 1ithin her o$ygen tent.and f)ssed 1ith her hair a bit. She 1ashed.b)ilt 1ell before Ford 1ent Ԇ in good shape. 'hen she h)rried back to 1here she left hi&.? ha2e to go see &y &other in the hospital. =e ho2ered aro)nd her 1ork station for the rest of the day. GAny1ay.G G? co)ldnFt go o)t dressed like this.GSo yo) are spending ti&e 1ith &y *ariaKG G? a& honored that she sho)ld spend ti&e 1ith &e. @abriella 1as pleasantly s)rprised.yo) need to ha2e so&e f)n.

Don *artin 1as an e$cellent dancer no &atter 1hat the style0 he 1as gracef)l and responsi2e to his partner.&ake lo2e to &e.&ostly o)t of boredo&. G? hope yo) 1ill treat &y da)ghter better than all those other 1o&en. After dinner. ? ha2e the greatest respect for her.Gb)t be caref)l of this one. 'heir 2isit 1as short.G *aria stopped hi& right there.he 1as )neasy at finding hi&self in the co&&on 1ard. As Don *artin sho1ered her 1ith gifts and attention. ? 1ant to li2e a little.he did not sho1 it.do not &ake &e any pro&ises.she did not 1ant it to end.Don *artin told the 1aiter to hold their table and took her o)t shopping. She cast her inhibitions aside and enIoyed herself to the f)llest.saying she did not 1ant the& to spend their entire e2ening at her bedside.s)ltry kiss.GUn &in)to.he &onitored her drinking to &ake s)re she did not ha2e too &)ch.so attired.G @abriella 1as a1are of his rep)tation.the 1hole e2ening 1as a drea&. ?f Don *artin 1as s)rprised by this re&ark.tho)gh she 1as e$ha)sted.1ine and dancing.b)t *aria is special. Jone of the& e2er &eant anything to &e. =e bo)ght her an e$pensi2e dress and shoes to &atch and.she ga2e hi& a passionate.they ret)rned to the resta)rant to dine in high style. G'hose other 1o&an &eant nothing to &e.)ntil *ariaFs feet co)ld take no &ore.*a&i.G She leaned o2er and planted a kiss on his cheek.G ? hope so.G G?s that 1hat yo) 1antKG By 1ay of ans1er.G G#so espero. All of this 1as ne1 to *aria.for not being too hard on hi&. Cno1ing she 1as not )sed to alcohol. At the door to the 1ard. @abriella sent the& a1ay. *aria took one look at the I)ngle of shacks and told Don.? ha2e been 1ith a lot of 1o&en. Aait here. For *aria.and this night she intended to try it all. Don *artin s&iled at her. She ne2er had danced and she ne2er had taken a drink before.as he dro2e to the resta)rant. B)t yo) are different0 1hen ? a& 1ith yo).Q Back in the car.G? cannot go back here no1. G?f yo) 퍠Ԇ 1ant to li2e. GDon.G@racias.totally alien to her bleak e$istence. Aith a fe1 glasses of 1ine to loosen her )p.G ?t 1as a f)ll e2ening of dinner.she sho1ered hi& 1ith affection.
. Joticing ho1 ill at ease she 1as.that is 1hat 1e 1ill do.b)t do not &ake &e pro&ises yo) 1ill not keep. All &y life ? ha2e been taking care of others.G G? 1ant yo) to ha2e a good ti&e-G @abriella 1heeEed. Please take &e to yo)r ho&e.he had *aria skipping o2er the dance floor like a professional in no ti&e. ? forgot so&ething.*aria said. G*aria.not after this night. *aria felt conspic)o)sly )nderdressed. Jo1 ? 1ant to li2e and &ake so&e &e&ories for &yself.s)rro)nded by so &)ch illness and s)ffering.they 2isited e2ery cl)b and dancehall in to1n.Don *artin broached the s)bIect of his rep)tation once &ore.?P. 'hey began at one of the &ost posh resta)rants in to1n.G G? 1ill *a&i.G She ret)rned to her &other and told her. 'here 1as one pleas)re yet that she had not tried.@abriella noted that 1hile he tried to act Io2ial and gallant. ?t 1as after &idnight 1hen Don *artin dro2e back to the shantyto1n. 'he night passed all too s1iftly and. <o&ance &e.and ? did not stay 1ith any of the& for long.

Despite a hango2er.and then they 1o)ld ha2e another 1ild e2ening. ?n their last con2ersation. =e 1as there for her 1hen she needed hi&. Don *artin 1as as gracef)l and responsi2e a lo2er as he 1as a dancer. And that 1as ho1 their relationship proceeded. Once ? a& gone.ho1e2er.so she did not get off 1ork )ntil the follo1ing &orning.both of the& 1ere satisfied and *aria co)ld no1 say she had tasted the pleas)res of life to their f)llest.Don *artin took her to his apart&ent. 'hen she 1orked another do)ble shift.and he 1o)ld set aside 1hate2er he 1as doing 1itho)t co&plaint to gi2e her
. She had insisted that Don *artin &ake her no pro&ises. Ahen she noticed hi&. 'hat factory 1ill be yo)r coffin if yo) stay.straight thro)gh to the follo1ing e2ening.1here they &ade lo2e in the early &orning. *aria told herself this 1as fine. ?t 1as a one night fling.*aria 1as floating on the afterglo1 of the pre2io)s night. She co)ld not detach her e&otions.G @abriella passed a1ay that 2ery night. 'he follo1ing e2ening 1hen she got off 1ork. ?t 1as the only ti&e he interceded at the factory on her behalf.1ith a little less dancing and a little &ore lo2e &aking. *aria began to think it 1as o2er already.and in ti&e she had to ad&it that she 1as in lo2e.and no1 it 1as o2er. She did not see Don *artin for the rest of the day. Once she sa1 Don *artin 1atching her fro& the cat 1alk o)tside the s)per2isorFs office.along 1ith &any of the other neighbors. At least she had the &e&ory of it.she 1as tired of the str)ggle to li2e and ready to be released fro& her s)ffering. 'hey breakfasted on toast and coffee as they got ready for 1ork.Don *artin 1as 1aiting for her again o)tside of the factory. And once &ore she 1arned *aria not to e$pect too &)ch fro& Don *artin.he said that he 1o)ld keep an eye on it to &ake s)re no one &o2ed in 1hile she 1as a1ay. She tried not to be disappointed.1here she cra1led into bed and slept )ntil she had to ret)rn to the factory that e2ening.1here he disappeared 1hile the personnel &anager che1ed her o)t for being late. ?t had been a glorio)s e2ening.go to yo)r sister in the US. She failed fast o2er the ne$t fe1 1eeks. Don *artin helped to n)rse her thro)gh her grief. *aria had to 1ork a do)ble shift.he 1a2ed to her cas)ally and disappeared into the office.caref)lly folding )p the e$pensi2e dress Don *artin bo)ght her. SeXor Ortega and SeXora :alencia 1ere there. =e insisted she stay 1ith hi& for the ne$t 1eek.b)t he 1as also officio)s. Ԇ 'hey 1o)ld see little of each other for a fe1 days. Don dro2e her to 1ork.yo) need to get a1ay fro& here. She 1as so e$ha)sted she co)ld hardly &ake the 1alk back to her shack. Don *artin 1as pleasant and affectionate in the &orning. Jo1 that this iss)e of *ariaFs f)t)re 1as resol2ing itself.GJo1 that yo) ha2e had a taste of life. By the ti&e they fell asleep.SeXor Ortega asked *aria if she 1as letting her shack go. Ahen she ans1ered no. She offered these final 1ords of ad2ice.@abriella began to &ake peace 1ith her o1n fate.@abriella once &ore e$pressed her relief to see that her da)ghter had decided to enIoy life. Don *artin got *aria e$c)sed fro& 1ork the ne$t day. After the f)neral. 'hat is the place for yo). *aria donned her good dress. ?t did not bother her that she 1as late for 1ork. =e acco&panied her to her &otherFs f)neral. L Seeing her da)ghter b)ilding a life for herself.and the dress and shoes. 'he alar& clock 1oke the& far too early. 'he night 1as a replay of that first night.

.and she tried not to take it to heart. (et she 1as not M)ite ready to lea2e. =e 1as beco&ing e2er so slightly inattenti2e and distant.G Don *artin did not &ake a false sho1 of insisting she stay longer.*aria beca&e a1are this life 1as like a glo2e that had been stretched o)t of shape and no longer fit her.a sho)lder to cry on.she )nderstood he 1as tiring of her constant presence.e$cept in passing at 1ork. *aria ret)rned to her shack and took )p her old life again.and 1hen she needed to socialiEe.G?t is ti&e for &e to go ho&e.tho)gh it 1as an e&pty life. As the days passed. She did not see Don *artin again for a co)ple of 1eeks. One day.she did not belong here any &ore. She 1rote to her sister. =er &other 1as right.he &ade lo2e to her 1ith a gentleness that soothed her like a bal&.*aria anno)nced. *aria set the letter aside 1itho)t ans1ering it.after a 1eek and a half. =e see&ed to kno1 1hen she needed to be alone.shado1ed by the &e&ories of those 1ho 1ere gone. D)cindaFs response ca&e M)ickly.to tell her of their &otherFs passing.
. And 1hen she needed inti&acy. (et.or to sit beside her 1hen she needed co&pany. She )nderstood he needed a break fro& her. =e dro2e her to the shantyto1n and kissed her goodbye before she got o)t of the car. She )rged *aria to Ioin her in the US.

=e is not the sort of &an a 1o&an &arries. SeXora Ortega placed a hand on her h)sbandFs sho)lder to let hi& kno1 he sho)ld re&ain seated.G GW'an rZpidoHG So M)ickly.3& The Orte(a7s #mi(rate One e2ening she 1as in2ited to share dinner 1ith the Ortegas.she ad&itted it to herself.1ho nodded to hi&. B)t Don is Don. A &an like yo). GDet it rest. G*aria. 'here I)st is not eno)gh to li2e on any&ore.SeXor Ortega str)ck off on a different tact.G *aria 1as to)ched by the offer. G*aria. GAnd 1hat sort of &an is thatKG SeXor Ortega asked nai2ely.G SeXora Ortega p)t in. Since the US is doing poorly.G She regarded *aria 1ith a kno1ing air. GUn ho&bre co&o t`. GO)r paper1ork is already being processed-G SeXor Ortega told her.all the factories are closing )p or c)tting 1ages.G SeXora Ortega h)shed hi&. Ae &iss her too. ? ha2e been told the police ha2e plans to clear o)t this area and i&prison anyone 1ho does not lea2e. Det )s kno1 before the end of the 1eek. B)t yo)r &other told )s &any ti&es that after she 1as gone she did not 1ant yo) to re&ain here by yo)rself. And keep in &ind. GShe said the sa&e thing to &e. GAhen is this to Ԇ happenKG GSo&eti&e in the ne$t fe1 &onths-G SeXor Ortega ans1ered.
. Pero Don es Don.this is 1hat yo)r &other 1anted.G *aria e$c)sed herself fro& the table.yo) are like fa&ily to )s. B)t 1e do not ha2e long if yo) are to co&e 1ith )s.G GAhen do yo) plan on lea2ingKG G=opef)lly in t1o 1eeks.e2en tho)gh she had al1ays kno1n it. Ae ha2e been sa2ing for a long ti&e so that 1e can go to the US.yo) 1ill find only tro)ble. =e looked at his 1ife. SeXor Ortega had &any friends aro)nd to1nincl)ding a n)&ber of police&en 1ho freM)ented his ta&ale stand. GAhat abo)t this Don *artinKG SeXor Ortega asked.G GShe hoped yo) 1o)ld &eet a &an. And in saying it. B)t ? a& not ready to lea2e yet. G*)y bien.G Don is good.G SeXor Ortega 1as disappointed. SeXor Ortega ca)ght hi&self. (o) need ti&e to think.Gb)t ?F& s)re 1e can add yo) 1itho)t delay.Don es b)eno. ?t 1as a pleasantfa&ily &eal that ser2ed to re&ind *aria of ho1 lonely she had beco&e.G SeXora Ortega ans1ered for *aria. G'i&es are changing here.G 'o a2oid e&barrass&ent. SeXor Ortega started it. G'here is nothing here for yo). And if yo) re&ain. After dinnerSeXor and SeXora Ortega sat 1ith her at their table and had a little talk. G?s he a good &anKG *aria replied. Ae ha2e &ore than eno)gh for yo) to co&e along 1ith )s. G(o)r offer is 2ery genero)s. Ae I)st spr)ng this on yo). Jo1 1e ha2e &ore than eno)gh &oney to get )s there..G GSi-G *aria confir&ed. G=&.GSi.G G'hat is 2ery genero)s.G 'his ne1s opened *ariaFs eyes.1e kno1 yo) are still grie2ing o2er yo)r &other.patting her h)sbandFs hand. *aybe sooner.G G? 1ill think abo)t it. GAill yo) go 1ith )sKG *aria tho)ght for only a &o&ent. GDet &e see yo) o)t-G she told *aria.

?t 1o)ld be a &)ch better place than here to bring a ne1 child into the 1orld. Jeither o)tco&e held any appeal for her.SeXora Ortega said. =e had not so &)ch as spoke to her since she spent that 1eek and a half 1ith hi& follo1ing her &otherFs death.G Aitho)t another 1ord. G? can see it in the glo1 in yo)r face. So no1 she 1o)ld ha2e to deal 1ith the conseM)ences on her o1n.and Don *artin a2oiding her.st)nned and speechless. SeXora Ortega all b)t confir&ed it/ she 1as pregnant.or he 1o)ld disclai& her and the baby.she fo)nd &ore than she bargained for. *aria stood there for a &o&ent.She acco&panied *aria to her o1n door.she 1as not ready to lea2e. *aria 1aited for her to 1ish her a good night.G#ste ho&breP.an air e2ery &other co&es to recogniEe.G GJo. 'he passage of a fe1 &ore 1eeks &ade her certain beyond a do)bt.before going into her ho&e. #ither he 1o)ld feel forced to do the honorable thing. =o1 co)ld SeXora Ortega kno1K *aria 1as only beginning to s)spect it herself.she t)rned to her o1n ho2el and disappeared thro)gh the door. A ne1 fa&ily &o2ed in to their ho2el 1ithin days of their depart)re.G She stopped and tried again fro& a different angle.SeXor Ortega 1arned her one last ti&e not to stay in the shantyto1n too long.this ti&e al&ost begging her to go 1ith the&. SeXor Ortega approached her again in a fe1 days. As they left. She 1as there a 1eek and a half later to see the& off.ho1e2er &)ch it &ight be against his nat)re.yet for *aria it re&ained e&pty and she 1as &ore alone than e2er.b)t SeXora Ortega c)t her off.
.her &otherFs death. Did it really sho1 in her faceK ?t had been al&ost t1o &onths since her last period. She finally decided against telling hi&. caref)l not to allo1 hi& to &ake false relationship 1ith no designs0 she had been pro&ises. Aith the Ortegas gone. Ahile it 1as not too )n)s)al for her to go so long bet1een . ?nstead. this ti&e she felt the ca)se 1as different. ?f yo) areP.yo) ha2e an air abo)t yo). Jo. poor diet and stress &ade her periods irreg)lar . She fo)ght long 1ith herself abo)t 1hether or not she sho)ld tell Don *artin. Det )s say no &ore abo)t it for no1.she entered that . And one day this child 1o)ld gro1 )p to lea2e her as 1ell. She pro&ised hi& she 1o)ld not. ?t see&ed 1hen she reached o)t to e&brace life.Q G*aria. B)t her &ind 1as &ade )p.G *aria ca)ght her breath and started to protest.she felt totally abandoned. G'here are &any single &others in the US. =e is not the &arrying type. All she had left in the 1orld 1as the little one gro1ing inside her.

the 1orkers 1ere asse&bled on the floor for a &aIor anno)nce&ent.she 1as assigned single shifts. 'ho)gh he &)st ha2e kno1n 1hose child she 1as carrying. =er feet and back ached . 'he other s)per2isors &)st ha2e ded)ced 1ho the father 1as as 1ell. Aitho)t their b)siness1e 1o)ld ha2e to close do1n.. GAe 1ill star2eHG another ho1led.as she 1as tr)dging ho&e.1ages 1ill be c)t in half. She si&ply did not 1ant this entangle&ent.
. ? a& no longer a part of yo)r life. Ae &ade no pro&ises.they are going to raEe o)r shacks.G%an ? gi2e yo) a rideKG GJo. ? heard the r)&ors &onths ago.he asked.b)t 1e &)st 1ork together for the good of the co&pany. the latter incessantly. One day. And she 1as certain they teased Don *artin abo)t it.Don *artin p)lled alongside her in his %a&ero.lea2ing hi& sitting there in his car. 'he s)per2isors and &anagers filed onto the cat1alk o2erhead. Ae &)st all tighten o)r belts.G She tr)dged on. 'here is going to be tro)ble at the factory. Don *artin idled along beside her in silence for a little 1hile.it 1as 1ith tr)e concern.G =e had her attention no1.G 'he ne$t day at the beginning of the first shift.tired and sore of foot and back.he 1ent into &ore detail. At se2en &onths. A fe1 ti&es at 1ork.b)t it has not happened yet. for the babyFs sake.G 'here 1as no anger in her 2oice.it is not safe here.like the A&ericans. ? can help yo).they 1ill close the factory and reopen it 1ith prison labor. GAe cannot li2e on thatHG one 1o&an called o)t. G'o&orro1 they are going to anno)nce a &aIor 1age c)t. She 1ent to the personnel &anager and told hi& she co)ld no longer 1ork do)ble shifts. B)t that is not 1hat ? 1as talking abo)t.G 'here 1ere &any cries of disbelief fro& the 1orkers. =e called o)t to her. 'here is going to be tro)ble soon.>ose *artin. GDonFt say it. Please let &efor o)rP. 'his is bitter &edicine for all of )s. 'hereafter. By the ti&e she 1as fo)r &onths pregnant. ?f the 1orkers resist the pay c)t.he 1o)ld hastily disappear. G*aria.he ne2er approached her.G Seeing she do)bted hi&. #ffecti2e i&&ediately.she noticed Don *artin 1atching her fro& afar. Ahen they 1ere aro)nd her.G G? kno1.%& Class 9ar She started to sho1 at three &onths. ?t is either that or lose the b)siness to the labor ca&ps in the US.led by the chair&an of the board.G Ԇ G?t 1ill happen. =e fro1ned at her e$panding belly b)t said nothing.and yo) are not a part of &ine.please look to yo)r safety .G She stopped and faced hi& thro)gh the open car 1indo1.she had tro)ble e2en &aking it thro)gh a single t1el2e ho)r shift. Al&ost shyly. SeXor *artin &ade the anno)nce&ent. She 1as beginning to 1onder ho1 long she 1o)ld be able to stay at 1orkand 1hat she 1o)ld do if she co)ld not 1ork.it beca&e diffic)lt to stay on her feet for &ore than t1el2e ho)rs at a stretch.G*ariae2en if yo) 1ill not accept &y help. Ahen he finally spoke again.they co)ld not keep a s&irk off their faces. GAal&art has infor&ed )s they 1ill no longer pay o)r prices 1hen they can b)y the sa&e thing cheaper inside the US.G(o) need to get o)t of here. ?f she &ade it clear she kne1 he 1as 1atching her.Don *artinFs )ncle. ? &)st look after &yself.

they s1ar&ed aro)nd the b)ilding.fatso.h)elga.#l @rossoHG so&eone Ieered. ?n the thickest part of the cro1d. And if 1e stick together.
.G Anger s1ept thro)gh the 1orkers. GW=)elga.dressed in f)ll riot gear and ar&ed 1ith riot g)nstasers and tr)ncheons.h)elga.GWAli&entos para n)estros beb[sH WAli&entos para . Aord spread and 1orkers 1ho 1ere not sched)led )ntil the nightshift sho1ed )p to lend s)pport.&any people fro& shantyto1n . 'hey for&ed a line.1ho 1ere trying to take control of the sit)ation. Ae ha2e to 1ork together.G GW:ete a la &ierda.*aria 1as 1ith a gro)p of 1o&en centered aro)nd Francis Al&eda. ca&e to bolster their n)&bers.I)st eno)gh for hi& to &ake hi&self heard. 'here 1ere h)ndreds of the&. So&e 1o&en fro& other factories in the area skipped o)t early to Ioin the protest.in f)ll solidarity 1ith her sisters.silent sho1do1n. Francis 1as a charis&atic 1o&an and a nat)ral born leader. ?t 1as taken )p by all the 1orkers )ntil it re2erberated thro)gh the 1hole factory.#l @rosso-G another yelled. 'hen the g)ard trained his 1eapon on the 1orkers. GSi. *arching and chanting 1o)ld gi2e the& a &)ch safer o)tlet for their Eeal and their need for action.as did the other three. *aria felt it take hold in her as 1ith the 1o&en aro)nd her. *any of the& 1ere s1ept )p in the hysteria. G*)y bien. So&eone had prod)ced a &egaphone and Francis 1as )sing it to call for discipline. G? donFt see yo) star2ing. ?f this is ho1 it is to be.1e 1ill p)ll thro)gh.the g)ards 1ill open fireHG 'he noise s)bsided into a tense. >ose *artin leaned o2er the rail and sho)ted do1n at the&.1o&en and children . 'he factory 1as soon )nder siege by a large and angry ar&y of the dispossessed.he&&ing the protestors in bet1een the& and the front of the b)ilding. GWAli&entos para n)estros beb[sH WAli&entos para n)estros beb[sHG Food for o)r babies. (eah. Don *artin had the g)ards fire another shot into the air. She 1as )rging protestors to &arch aro)nd the b)ilding instead of s1ar&ing it. *aria chanted along. n)estros niXosHG O)tside. Finally. 'hen the 1o&en began to file o)tside as they res)&ed the chant.yet there 1ere eno)gh 1ho kept their heads to act as a foil against the rasher i&p)lses of the protestors.h)elgaHHG so&eone began chanting.blocking off all the entrances. 'hey see&ed on the 2erge of establishing an organiEed de&onstration 1hen the police sho1ed )p. GAe are all in this together. 'he 1o&en took )p a ne1 chant. 'he 1o&en of the factory fo)nd the&sel2es a &inority in a hostile cro1d that threatened to t)rn 2iolent at the slightest pro2ocation. ?f yo) do not. GStrikeH StrikeH StrikeH StrikeHG SeXor *artin had one of the fo)r g)ards on the platfor& fire a shot into the air.then 1e 1ill close this factory and yo) 1ill all be arrested.o)tside the &ain doors of the factory.then ? a& ordering yo) to lea2e the b)ilding right no1H ?f this factory is not co&pletely e2ac)ated in three &in)tes. 'he cro1d M)ieted as it t)rned to face these dangero)s ne1 ad2ersaries.G G=o1 a& ? going to feed &y childrenKG one angry &other cried. 'he 1o&en M)ieted do1n. &en. 'his ti&e the 1o&en did not M)iet do1n co&pletely. 'hey held the &anagers and the chair&an prisoner inside.SeXor *artin tried to cal& the&.GA strike 1ill sol2e nothing.

Finally. #2eryone 1as braced to r)n or fight.1aiting for 1hat 1as to co&e ne$t. 'hen the gas s1ept o2er the& and *aria 1as too b)sy choking and crying to pay attention to 1hat else 1as going on. #2eryone in the cro1d held their breath.G Francis 1as saying 1hen a plastic b)llet str)ck her &egaphone. And 1e 1ill disband e$cept for the n)&ber of strikers s)fficient to &aintain a picket aro)nd the b)ilding.then back at the doors to the b)ilding. *aria felt it tingling her skin like an electrical c)rrent.*aria did Ԇ not kno1. GAe are not rioters.G#ste es el %apitZn <odr]g)eE.and e2eryone taking part in it is breaking the la1 and is s)bIect to arrest. *aria began to 1onder 1hat she 1as doing there. Ae 1ill allo1 the people inside the b)ilding to lea2e.se2en &onths pregnant as she 1as. GAe cannot disperse )ntil yo) grant )s free passage-G Francis repeated. 'here 1as no 1ay to disperse. People began to Iostle each other. Other protestors 1ho tried to flee 1ere cl)bbed by the police as they dre1 near the&.G'his is an orderly strike.G Francis corrected the officer. 'his is a riot.partially of anger and partially of fear.engaged in a peacef)lP. 'hey o)tn)&bered the police by al&ost ten to one.short of p)shing thro)gh the police line. =o1 she &anaged to keep her 2oice cal&. Jo1 clear a path to the doors so 1e can obtain the safe release of those 1ithin.she co)ld hear the
. B)t yo) &)st grant the rest clear passage. GAe cannot lea2e )ntil yo) pro&ise 1e 1ill not be assa)lted or arrested-G Francis stated. She looked at the line of police&en.knocking her o2er back1ards onto *aria and the 1o&an ne$t to her.G A &)r&)r 1ent thro)gh the cro1d.b)t it 1o)ld be nothing short of s)icide to engage s)ch hea2ily-ar&ed and ar&ored troops 1ith little &ore than their bare hands.knocking it o)t of her hand. =er &o)th 1as a &ass of blood and broken teeth.G 'he tension in the cro1d &o)nted. G(o) ha2e one &in)te to clear a path to the doors and begin dispersing.and the protestors began to tense )p in anticipation of tro)ble. 'here 1as the report of firing &)nitions as tear gas canisters 1ere la)nched into the cro1d. G(o)r ti&e is )p-G 1as %aptain <odrig)eEFs only reply. GAe are peacef)lP. *aria sa1 a boy of no &ore than fo)rteen pick )p a s&oking canister and h)rl it back at the police. Francis responded. 'he police ringed the entire b)ilding and had the protestors contained 1ith no1here to go. Another hit her in the &o)th.holding the slee2e of her dress o2er her face.G A &)r&)r 1ent thro)gh the cro1d. (o) are ordered to disperse and release the capti2es fro& the b)ilding. GAe are 1orkers at this factory and s)pporters. For his effort he 1as shot in the head 1ith a plastic b)llet.Gand p)t so&ething o2er yo)r face. GDay do1n-G Francis instr)cted e2eryone.G 'here 1as no i&&ediate response. G(o) ha2e no right to asse&ble.a lo)dspeaker blared o)t.Fro& behind the line of police.the %aptain responded.G *any people 1ere already doing as she s)ggested.G 'he %aptain c)t her off. She 1as lying on her side ne$t to Francis and other co1orkers. Aro)nd her.

G:a&os.b)t keep the& apart fro& the others.G *aria recogniEed his 2oice/ this 1as %aptain <odrig)eE. 'he &an st)died the& for a &o&ent.one after another. GDoes this 1o&an &ean so&ething to yo)KG GSi-G Don *artin ans1ered.a breeEe 1as already dissipating the gas.a path 1as cleared to the front of the b)ilding.shielding her. And then they 1ere s)rro)nded by a gro)p of police ai&ing g)ns and tasers at the&.tho)gh she hesitatedlooking to her co-1orkers. All aro)nd her. 'he cro1d 1as being p)shed back1ards. =e led her back to the gro)p of &anagers. GDet &e take her o)t of here.and a sM)adron of riot police 1as preparing to escort the &anagers and e$ec)ti2es o)t of the b)ilding.tasered and cl)bbed.GSi.others protested.G %aptain <odrig)eE &o2ed on.por fa2orH ? a& pregnantH Do not h)rt &y babyHG An officer trained his 1eapon on her and prepared to fire 1hen he 1as p)shed o)t of the 1ay.1ho 1as holding a rag to FrancisFs shattered &o)th.1e 1ill go peacef)lly. *ean1hile.G (et the police 1ent on tasering the& .littered 1ith bodies.*aria-G Don *artin )rged her. G'ake her. One of the 1o&en standing. 'he others 1ere cl)bbed. A fe1 of her co-1orkers stood )p and t)rned the other protestors aside.b)t they 1ere M)ickly p)t do1n. An officer Ioined the police&en standing aro)nd *aria and her co-1orkers.1as shot in the chest by a plastic b)llet.bind the& )p.1ho sho)tedGJo.1hile other officers bo)nd their 1rists and ankles once the contractions stopped.G(o) do not ha2e to do that. For her babyFs sake. G%an yo) not see that she is pregnantKG 'he police officers started to &o2e in on Don *artin 1hen %aptain <odrig)eE appeared at his side. *aria 1as be1ildered and allo1ed Don *artin to lead her along 1ith an ar& abo)t her sho)lders.shots and sc)ffling.and their police escort.then bo)nd 1ith plastic bracelets on their 1rists and ankles. @ood 1ork.*aria sa1 people being shot. G'aser the&.sho)ts and cries.e$ec)ti2es.the scene looked like a battlefield after the battle 1as o2er. As they tasered the 1o&en lying on the gro)nd. 'hro)gh the legs of the police&en standing aro)nd her 1here she lay.1ho 1ere fighting their 1ay thro)gh the cro1d.G 'hen %ons)ella 1as 1rithing aro)nd at the end of t1o taser 1ires. She 1ill not ca)se yo) any tro)ble.1ho stood o2er *aria.G Don *artin knelt do1n to help *aria )p. D)ckily. She took his hand.she co)ld see other police&en ha)ling protestors to the back of tr)cks 1here they 1ere loaded inside. She 1ent do1n 1ith a groan.al&ost tra&pling o2er *aria and her co1orkers. 'hro)gh her b)rning eyes. As their police escort cond)cted the& safely to the parking lot.*aria 1as able to s)r2ey the scene. =ere and there isolated gro)ps of protestors resisted the police.acting as a protecti2e g)ard for those still on the gro)nd.she is already inI)red. ?t 1as Don *artin. Je$t ca&e Francis. *aria cl)ng to Francis for their &)t)al protection.saidG(o) do not ha2e to shoot her. Other1ise.*aria 1ent 1ith hi&.SeXora *artineE.noise of co&bat.these are the leaders. %ons)ella *ineE. 'he &en 1ith tasers 1ere approaching. GDo not h)rt this 1o&anHG he sho)ted.and the officers aro)nd the& acted on his orders. 'hey had to be caref)l stepping a&ong the people plastic-
.*aria sa1 that the protestors 1ere retreating fro& the police.then said.G %aptain <odrig)eE regarded hi& for a &o&ent.and then *aria.

O'hey are going to sh)t do1n the &aM)iladoras. *aria sa1 co1orkers and faces she recogniEed fro& the shantyto1n and the &arket. G?F& taking yo) back to &y place.they passed thro)gh a strea& of ref)gees h)rrying a1ay. Ahat is happeningK =er 1orld torn apart.le diIe-G Don *artin said.then 1ent aro)nd and cli&bed in on the dri2erFs side.G 'ake &e there.
.*aria 1as lost.G And that is e$actly 1hat happened. =e did not breathe easy )ntil he p)lled o)t of the parking lot and left the factory and the police behind.they appla)ded the go2ern&entFs efforts to &ake the co)ntry a safer place. Y.sat her in the passenger side.Don *artin stopped so&e distance short of a &ilitary con2oy setting )p operations on the side of the road.? told yo).the &anagers and s)per2isors 1ere allo1ed to lea2e. She 1as still processing e2erything that happened. 'hey 1ill be thro1n into prison ca&ps.G GAhat abo)t the babyKG G'he baby is fine. 'hen they 1ill h)nt and ro)nd )p the e&ployees and e2eryone else fro& the shacks.they 1ill do so 1ith prison labor. (o) ha2e no ho&e.the dangero)s cri&inals 1ere al1ays poor people .1aiting to be loaded into transport 2ehicles and carted a1ay. All 1ere lying bo)nd on the gro)nd. =e s1)ng the car aro)nd.Q G? told yo) there 1as going to be tro)ble today. GSi. As they dro2e to1ard the shantyto1n. Police 1alked a&ong the&.G Don *artin decided to h)&or her.G 'here. GJo entiendo.G 'ake &e ho&e. GDl[2a&e all].G =e castigated her. &ostly 1o&en and children. 'he tele2ision ne1scastrs ne2er see&ed to pick )p on this0 instead. GAll]. Oddly eno)gh.GAhy did yo) not listenK (o) sho)ld not ha2e been thereHG *aria tried to ignore hi&. Approaching to 1ithin sight of the shanties. (o)r ho&e is gone. She did not 1ant to cry no1.G GYA d\nde 2a&osKQ *ariaFs &ind 1as not 1orking.)[ estZ s)cediendoKG ? don+t )nderstand. 'hen 1hen &y )ncle and the others reopen the &aM)iladoras. GJo1 1e better get o)t of here. Don *artin led *aria o2er to his car. Ahere are 1e going. GWJo tienes casaH 'his riot 1as I)st the e$c)se they needed to begin clearing o)t yo)r neighborhood.G *aria did not belie2e hi&. GY#stZs bienKQ he asked.I)st as they are doing in the US. GS) casa se ha ido. 'he other factories closed )p and o2er the ne$t fe1 1eeks the &ilitary and the police &ade a &aIor s1eep to rid the co)ntry of cri&inals. G%asaKG Don *artin la)ghed.c)ffed hand and foot. Belo1Ԇ *aria co)ld see b)lldoEers plo1ing thro)gh the shacks. ?t 1as all o2er the ne1s broadcasts e2ery day/ footage of the dangero)s cri&inals as they 1ere being ro)nded )p. GBien.e2ery no1 and then stopping to taser or cl)b anyone 1ho had sp)nk left. At the parking lot. G'o&ar &e casa.1here yo) 1ill be safe-G Don *artin told her.Q ? 1ill tell yo). GOs 2oy a contar.

G *aria e$clai&ed )pon hearing the fig)res.G 'he crossing 1o)ld cost ten tho)sand pesos or fi2e h)ndred A&eros. ?n her letter. Ahen a 1eek passed 1ith no 1ord fro& her.G *aria 1as )neasy abo)t depending on Don *artin and li2ing in his apart&ent. ? a& not s)re he can afford that. She co)ld not hide in Don *artinFs apart&ent fore2er. ? a& already in his debt.and her presence p)t a cri&p in his style. G'en tho)sand pesos is less than a tho)sand US dollars-G D)cinda told her. 'ho)gh he 1as nothing by gracio)s and hospitable. *aria 1o)ld ha2e to pay the &oney )p front. D)cinda 1rote back M)ickly. She 1as certain he had so&e ne1 ro&ance going.and she kne1 that if she tried to rekindle their relationship it 1o)ld go badly in the end. AeFll get yo) o)t of there as soon as possible. G(o) and the baby 1ill be safer in the US.considering he is largely responsible for yo)r condition. GAnd no1here near fi2e h)ndred A&eros. (o) sho)ld see for yo)rself.GDife is grand. And he took her to the post office so she co)ld 1rite to her sister.she kne1 he 1o)ld be glad to ha2e his apart&ent back to hi&self. 'ho)gh they 1ere delighted to speak to each other.concentrating on the trip ahead.tho)gh.b)t there 1as nothing to be done abo)t it.G G=o1 &)ch 1ill it costKG G'hatFs the M)estion-G D)cinda agreed. ?Fll contact the& and &ake the arrange&ents.they kept the con2ersation short. *aria 1as to &eet the coyotes at a caf[ in the nearby to1n of Sonoyta one 1eek fro& then. =e bo)ght her &aternity clothes.b)t Don *artin said he 1ill pay for it..*aria halted the con2ersation right there. So she 1rote her sister back and agreed to &ake the passage.G *aria e$pected her to call back later that day.G GDisten. She 1as beco&ing )nco&fortable relying on Don *artin.G *aria felt the ti&e had co&e.? 1o)ld say he o1es yo).she recei2ed a phone call fro& her sister.*aria. Do yo) ha2e anyKG GJo.G
. She 1as to approach the& and ask ho1 things 1ere in the States. G?yeH so &)ch. *aria had hoped to &ake the crossing sooner.)& For the "aby Don *artin 1o)ld not allo1 *aria to 2ent)re fro& his apart&ent by herself. G? 1ill ha2e to ask Don *artin. She had to stand g)ard o2er her e&otions so as not to &ake this sit)ation any &ore precario)s than it already 1as. G? kno1 so&e coyotes here 1ho cross the border reg)larly-G D)cinda told her.telling *aria she &)st go to the US.if ? let hi&. 'hey 1o)ld respond.often ret)rning late in the &orning. =e took to spending e2enings a1ay fro& ho&epartic)larly on the 1eekend. She kne1 that 1hate2er had been bet1een the& 1as o2er long ago and she sho)ld not be Iealo)s.G All the sa&e.1ith yo)r sister.she incl)ded Don *artinFs telephone n)&ber. D)cinda told her to look for t1o A&ericans sitting at an o)tdoor table drinking beer. She so)nded older. She felt herself gro1ing )sed to it.G G? a& s)re he 1o)ld say &)ch the sa&e thing. ԇ G? 1ill &ake the arrange&ents and then call yo) back.*aria began to 1onder. ?t 1as the first ti&e they had talked since D)cinda 1ent to the United States. At last.b)t it 1as D)cindaFs 2oice. Don *artin conc)rred.her sister called 1ith the arrange&ents. Se2eral days later. G? ha2e a little &oney. (et that did little to ass)age the anger she felt 1hen he ret)rned after a night a1ay fro& the apart&ent. G'hey r)n a 2ery safe b)siness and they 1ill bring yo) to =eater.

and he took to spending &ost of the day a1ay fro& ho&e. 'he ne$t 1eek passed slo1ly. *)ch to her s)rprise.if yo) 1ish.and the backpack he bo)ght for her had a&ple roo& for these. She had been packed and ready to go for days.*aria braced herself and told hi& abo)t the plans and the cost. She did not ha2e &)ch. ?t 1as only a three ho)r dri2e to Sonoyta.tho)gh there 1as nothing for her to do. #2erything 1orks on &oney in the US.? 1ill be back this afternoon to take yo) to Sonoyta. *aria &oped aro)nd the apart&ent all day. Finally. GDo not sho1 it to anyone )ntil yo) are 1ith yo)r sister.then pa)sed and took o)t his 1allet.G *aria accepted the bills. *aria 1as allo1ed to bring only a backpack.and progressed slo1ly. =e entered the li2ing roo&.and got )p early. 'hings bet1een *aria and Don *artin gre1 increasingly a1k1ard.1eFll fig)re so&ething o)t. *aria sat at the table sipping coffee and trying not to 1atch hi& eat. ?Fll take yo) to Sonoyta.1hich 1as 1aiting fresh and 1ar& 1hen Don *artin got o)t of bed.all dressed.G =e started to lea2e. 'here 1ere al1ays ㅀԇ place&ent and the proper )se of articles. ?t 1as fifty A&eros. She did not ha2e to &eet the coyotes )ntil that afternoon. *aria slept fitf)lly the night before. ?t &ay be a long ti&e before yo) ha2e a chance to take another. (et she dreaded telling Don *artin ho1 high the price 1o)ld be.Don *artin stepped o)t of his bedroo&. G?f he canFt co2er it.Don *artin did not e2en bat an eye.and gi2e yo) the &oney 1hen the ti&e co&es.into 1hich she &)st st)ff 1hate2er she 1anted to take 1ith her.G So the deal 1as on. Don *artin bo)ght her so&e #nglish lang)age tapes.sho1er and dress. G=ide it 1ell-G Don *artin ad2ised her.G G@racias.1here *aria sat on the co)ch.and she applied herself to these 1ith diffic)lty. An ho)r later. 'ake this.b)t fo)nd it diffic)lt to keep her &ind on it.G? need to go o)t for a 1hile. All he said 1as. She b)sied herself fi$ing a big breakfast. =e said they 1ere b)sy preparing the factory for reopening 1ith prison labor. e$ceptions.G'hatFs abo)t 1hat ? e$pected. Do not 1orry.G
. *aria tried to 1atch tele2ision. #nglish did not ha2e clear r)les like Spanish. Opening the 1allet. Don *artin 1atched her 1hile he finished his breakfast. 'he place 1as being transfor&ed into a prison co&po)nd.and the coyotes 1o)ld not lea2e her stranded in the desert so&e1here. A fence 1ith raEor 1ire and g)ard to1ers had been erected aro)nd the entire ind)strial park.G *aria kne1 the price 1as high beca)se she 1o)ld be paying for a safe passage. She st)ck 1ith it. 'here 1o)ld be no proble&s crossing the border.Don *artin 1ent back into his bedroo& to sha2e. Finally the fatef)l day arri2ed. She did not kno1 1hy she 1as in s)ch a h)rry. G(o) sho)ld ha2e so&e &oney on yo). 'ake a bath. Ahen he ca&e ho&e.1hich 1as a lot.ho1e2er.1atching tele2ision and practicing her #nglish.she got )p fro& the table and repacked her bag.he dre1 o)t so&e bills and offered the& to *aria.other than the clothes Don *artin ga2e her. She had tro)ble 1ith s)bIectR2erb And she tho)ght it 2ery odd there 1as no ne)tral gender in the lang)age.yo) let &e kno1-G D)cinda told her. 'he in&ates 1o)ld arri2e in a co)ple &ore 1eeks.GAell. Ahen he had eaten.and told her.

she said.Don *artin see&ed to ha2e &ore to say. late &orning.G *aria added the bread and cheese to her pack.she kne1 that. Don *artin see&ed to be in better spirits. For days no1. At first.they 1o)ld si&ply ha2e to 1ait in Don *artinFs car rather than his apart&ent.along 1ith e2eryone elseK Ahat sort of life 1o)ld her child ha2eK She 1ondered that often eno)gh. =e bro)ght a fe1 groceries. She &ade herself stay in the t)b )ntil she co)ld not take it any&ore. Ao)ld her child e2er see a nor&al sky.1e 1ill lea2e. She kept the& in a paper bag.hiding fro& it and the rain.)ntil no1.he ne2er 1o)ld ha2e resc)ed her fro& the crackdo1n at the factory.eating a1ay at the length of the day. =oisting the pack. As he 1as p)tting the& a1ay. Ao)ld there e2en be a f)t)reK 'r)e to his 1ord. GDo yo) ha2e roo& for these in yo)r packKG GSi-G *aria took the& gratef)lly.*aria re&e&bered this pheno&enon began a year ago.and the s)nsets co&&enced 1as like the rosy skies of s)nrise lingered into long before the s)n approached the horiEon.*aria hated depending on his generosity or his desire to protect the )nborn child neither of the& e2er &entioned. ?t . *ost people tried to a2oid looking )p.e$cept for the fe1 ti&es 1hen he escorted her o)t. As she st)died the sky.as ti&e passed they gre1 &ore and &ore co&&on.rese&bling nothing so &)ch as an o2erlying red sore.G
.Don *artin ret)rned at / 5. ?nstead. She needed to lea2e this place.to a2oid getting cr)&bs all o2er e2erything.e2en here she co)ld not rela$.G? a& ready.the pheno&enon ne2er lasted for &ore than a co)ple days at a ti&e.&aybe so&e1here )p in the United StatesK Or 1o)ld her child gro1 )p fearf)l of the sky. Abo)t the ti&e she finished 1ith the dishesthere 1as a po1er o)tage and the ': 1ent dead.she alternated atte&pting to read an A&erican ne1spaper 1ith pacing and staring o)t the 1indo1s. *aria alternated 1atching tele2ision 1ith clearing a1ay the breakfast lefto2ers and 1ashing dishes.G? 1ill be back-G and took his lea2e.)ntil it beca&e )n)s)al 1hen they did not occ)r. Once she had dried off and dressed. As this happened.the e$tended s)nrises and s)nsets 1ere occasional. Deciding to take Don *artinFs ad2iceshe dre1 the t)b and cli&bed in for a nice bath. (et. Se2eral &onths ago. (et.and she s)spected Don *artin 1as going o)t to pre2ent this.he only reiterated. ?n tr)thshe had o2erstayed her 2isit long ago. She do)bted Don *artin fo)nd her 2ery pleasant co&pany. 'ho)gh she 1anted to belie2e Don *artin still harbored so&e feelings for her. For her part.and no one talked abo)t ho1 pretty it 1as any&ore.she 1o)ld ha2e preferred to sit and 1ait in his car. GAs soon as yo) are ready. She 1as 2ery tired of being confined to his apart&ent.the sky had taken on a dist)rbing infection.they started ha2ing entire days 1here the sky looked like the lining of an )lcerated sto&ach.he sat a loaf of bread and a block of cheese on the table in front of *aria. 'he ho)rs dragged by.b)t for the baby. (et. People )sed to co&&ent on ho1 pretty it 1as.not tentati2ely as he had that &orning.the skies took on a &ore o&ino)s and sickly cast. =e acted and spoke p)rposef)lly. 'here 1o)ld be no benefit to lea2ing early. *aria tho)ght they &ight lea2e early.1ith her i&patience and agitation. Of co)rse.she 1ondered if it 1o)ld e2er break. *ost probably. And the pheno&enon lasted longer and longer.e2eryone kne1 the pheno&enon 1as d)e to poll)tion. At the &o&ent. As *aria st)died the sky. She kept thinking abo)t her )pco&ing trip and listening for Don *artinFs ret)rn.

'heir so)ls 1ere p)re and )nto)ched.and she felt it respond.
. And she carried his child.+& First 8limpses ?t 1as a three ho)r dri2e.1hose deniEens each contrib)ted to the general &alaise thro)gh their self-absorbed li2es of ab)se.it 1as tr)e .the per2ersion of conte&porary society 1o)ld be )n2eiled to her.. G@racias-G *aria said. 'he air ԇ conditioning had the taint of ab)se to it.yo) 1ill be sitting in yo)r sisterFs ho)se in the US. =)&ans 1ere capable of sinf)l. 'hey 1ere all h)&ans. Feeling tender co&passion. Jo.she sa1 a gr)eso&e ogre 1ho had &ade his life thro)gh pillage and despoil&ent. b)t only 1hen they 1ere per2erted by ignorance and greed. She cared abo)t this &an ne$t to her.tor&ented by cent)ries of h)&an e$ploitation.ne2er finding &ore than static and broken signals.Don *artin asked. As s)ch.e2il acts. 'he fe1 s&all to1ns they passed thro)gh looked like anthills b)ilt on festering sores. *aria tried to shake these i&pressions fro& her &ind. Don *artin toyed 1ith the radio e2ery no1 and then.and it see&ed &)ch longer.this co)ld not be. By this ti&e to&orro1.she told herself.capable of far-reaching good if they co)ld only act fro& that so)rce 1ithin.1hich threatened any &o&ent to spe1 )p infernal hordes of dU&ons. Joticing she 1as s1eating and breathing hea2y.and she co)ld hear it crying to be set free. <eaching o)t 1ith her heart. ?t 1as sacred. ? a& s)re yo)r sister 1o)ld not ha2e set this )p 1ith people she did not tr)st.G *aria tried to s&ile at hi&.this )nborn child 1as proof that neither of its parents 1as intrinsically e2il. G(o) 1ill call &e and let &e kno1 yo) are okayKG GSi-G *aria pro&ised.bred of her o1n fears and an$ieties and tinted by the angry sky.sitting ne$t to her. *aria had to fight do1n panic and paranoia. She felt the baby 1ithin her and kne1 there 1as nothing e2il abo)t it0 it 1as not tainted in any 1ay.still so&ething insisted she 1as seeing h)&ankind for 1hat they 1ere. Don+t 1orry.b)t instead of Don *artin.G #&barrassed that he said too &)ch.the endless desert they sped across had beco&e a night&are landscape. Don *artin 1as a h)&an being.G <eaching for the controls on the dashboard.intent on sharing their pain 1ith e2eryone and e2erything else. GBien.Don *artin fell silent again. 'he fe1 2ehicles they passed on the road appeared to be aggressi2e abo&inationsracing to corr)pt the planet. Possessed by the sang)ine sky. 'he dri2ers and passengers 1ere afflicted hell-spa1n.tho)gh sheዀ 1as chilled by the artificial cold. ? 1ill li2e a lot easier kno1ing yo) and the baby are safe in the United States. *aybe she e2en lo2ed hi& at one ti&e. G#2erything 1ill go fine. Jeither of the& said a 1ord the 1hole ti&e. GJo te preoc)pes-G Don *artin told her.GY#stZs bienK Det &e t)rn )p the air a bit. G? 1ill be relie2ed to kno1 yo) are safe 1ith yo)r sister.b)t fo)nd she co)ld not. 'ho)gh she tried to tell herself this 1as I)st a del)sion. ?t 1as hidden deep 1ithin.G Don *artin spokefeeling so&eho1 closer to *aria.he t)rned )p the air conditioning.she felt for Don *artinFs so)l. So long as the sky re&ained corr)pted.locked 1ithin the recesses of his being.appeared to be a gl)ttono)se$ploiti2e de2il in this light. ?t 1as as tho)gh a thin skein of respectability had been peeled a1ay to re2eal ho1 defiled the 1orld tr)ly 1as. #2en Don *artin. B)t she co)ld feel it.she reached o)t to co&fort Don *artinFs straitIacketed so)l.

*aria 1anted to cry for the bea)ty.1here he had a clear 2ie1 of the o)tdoor caf[. (o) 1ill be happy at yo)r sisterFs.or e2en if she co)ld do that. And she felt Pepito 1ith her.he &isinterpreted the ca)se. She 1anted to tell Don *artin 1hat she had disco2ered.Pepito.she sa1 t1o to1ns s)peri&posed o2er the e2eryday to1n 1ith 1hich &ost people 1ere fa&iliar. Others had tried.and fo)nd 嵠ԇ 1ords 1ere inadeM)ate.G 'hat is tr)e.to &ake this 1orld a better place and repair all the da&age 1e ha2e done. G=ere is the &oney.G GSi. And that p)re.so&e1here near yet )nseen.beco&ing &ore caring and responsi2e as he had once been.Don *artin.her &other. Don *artin dro2e thro)gh the s&all to1n )ntil he located the caf[ in the central plaEa. 'his tr)th a1oke a ne1 a1areness 1ithin *aria.s)specting he 1as reacting to the 1ay she to)ched his so)l.G *aria s&iled at hi&.yet she kne1 all of this 1as an ill)sionand it 1o)ld &elt a1ay if they 1o)ld allo1 their so)ls to shine thro)gh. She felt her &other. *ake s)re they co)nt it in front of yo).1e are ta)ght to 1all )p o)r so)ls and hide the& fro& the 1orld aro)nd )s.D)cinda.*aria. Joticing that *aria 1as close to tears. ?t is o)r ca)sal breath. So&eho1 this kno1ledge co)ld only be co&&)nicated directly so)l to so)l. She tho)ght of e2eryone she kne1.crying o)t in the effort to free itself fro& oppression.the p)re spirit of e$istence 1as e2ery1here. 'hereFs nothing here for yo). Ae are all born innocent and p)re. =e parked do1n the street.So that is ho1 it is. <eaching o)t to the land.e2en fro& o)rsel2es.*aria tho)ght. G(o) ha2e been 2ery kind to &e. 'hey co)ld see t1o A&ericans sitting at a table.drinking beer. All of their tro)bles 1ere resol2ed. Ae learn ignorance and greede$ploitation and ab)se0 1e learn to beco&e self-centered and co&petiti2e.G G@racias.the tragedy. <eaching o)t.b)t 1e are not born that 1ay.b)t she co)ld not. =er child.there 1as the dU&onically-dri2en Sonoyta.she fo)nd its so)l. And. She kne1 there 1ere no 1ords to co&&)nicate this kno1ledge.Petra>)an >)nior.herself. 'hro1n into relief by the )lcerated sky. All of the& 1ere born p)re and sacred.a hi2e of e$ploitation and ab)se. Fro& the &o&ent 1e are born.and the fr)stration that ca&e as she realiEed this tragedy 1as )nnecessary and co)ld be so easily resol2ed.freeing o)r so)ls to let the& shine as they 1ere &eant to do.e2en their father >)an Senior and the boss at the factory. G#2erything 1ill be fine.radiant 1ith the life 1ithin )s. ?t too 1as crying0 crying fro& cent)ries of ab)se. And she 1as yet )ncertain of ho1 to do that.crying to be recogniEed. (o) and the baby 1ill be safe.G *aria leaned o2er and kissed hi& on the cheek.so they cannot clai& it is short.>ose *artin.co&&)nal spirit re&ains at o)r core. (etbeneath the s)rface. Ahen they dro2e into Sonoyta. As *aria freed her o1n so)l to sing.and they 1ere looking o)t for her. =er 2oice 1as strengthened by the tonal chord of the #arth.all 1e ha2e to do is tear do1n those 1alls.G
. G#so es cierto. Dooking o)t at the landscapeshe co)ld see it 1as still tainted and tor&ented.a p)re tonic chord that )nderscored all life on this planet/ the so)l of the #arth.e2en in the 1orst of )s.and Petra too.and the pain of both 1as di&inished. =e prod)ced an en2elop fro& a pocket in the dri2erFs door and handed it to *aria.she felt it link itself to the so)l of the #arth.he patted her sho)lders in an effort to co&fort her.

.then closed the door and proceeded to &eet her destiny in the caf[.
.G G? 1ill-G *aria 2o1ed.Don *artin flo)ndered as she opened her door and stepped o)t of the car. She s&iled at hi&. =e ca)ght hi&self.before she closed the door.ho1e2er.1atching the &eeting )nfold. G(o) be s)re to call &e fro& yo)r sisterFs ho)se. Don *artin stayed parked 1here he 1as.

She 1as s)rprised to note that.G 'he big &an follo1ed the script. G=o1 are things in A&ericaKG As she said this.G <oger. A little boy of fi2e or si$ al&ost collided 1ith *aria.<oger said.G 'he big &an co)nted thro)gh it.<ogerFs 2oice took on a gentler tone.knock on this door.this s1agger beca&e partic)larly 1icked.the s&aller &an. 'he back of the tr)ck 1as open. 'hey ha2e a la2atory inside.ha2e a seat-G he offered her. G@racias-G *aria sat do1n. *aria stopped at their table. =e pointed to *aria.and a fa&ily of fi2e. 'here 1ere fo)r &en.their spirits cried o)t all the &ore.a yo)ng co)ple.. Ae 1onFt lea2e )ntil after &idnight. (o) sho)ld see for yo)rself. G?t 1ill be a fe1 ho)rs before 1e lea2e0 1ill yo) be alright o)t hereKG G? 1ill be fine.b)t donFt go 1andering off..she soon 1o)ld ha2e to relie2e her bladder.G ?n tr)th. 'he other &an 1as s&aller.for all of their (ankee &achis&o.and ho1 pregnant. 'hey both had the air of A&ericanos0 that sense of entitle&ent. G(o) ha2e the &oneyKG GSi-G *aria handed hi& the en2elop. ?n the light of the p)st)lant sky. G?t is all there.G 'he 1o&an nodded and disappeared into the b)ilding.into an alley 1here the tr)ck 1as parked. Speaking to *aria.as if the 1orld 1ere b)ilt to ser2e the&.G@i2e her 1hate2er she needs. GPlease. 'he big &an stood and dre1 a chair o2er fro& a neighboring table.she reached o)t to the& co&passionately. G(es. One 1as a tall &an 1ho appeared strong and dangero)s. 'here 1ere abo)t a doEen people sitting inside on the bed of the tr)ck.noting ho1 pretty she 1as.G ')rning his attention back to her. GAg)a-G he told her. 'here are others already 1aiting.Q GAre yo) thirstyKG GAater 1o)ld be nice.& "aptism in "lood 'he A&ericanos 1ere drinking beer as she approached.led her aro)nd the side of the caf[. G? sho)ld like to do that-G *aria said. 'hey eyed her 1ith s&all interest. 'he &an M)ickly sat back do1n as 1ellclearly as astonished by his o1n ci2ility 嶰ԇ as 1as his partner.he said. 'he &other s)ckled a baby to her breast 1hile t1o older children raced aro)nd the o)tside of the tr)ck. G#rnestoH DianaHG 'he father called the& into the tr)ck. G(o) are A&ericanosKG G(es-G the big one ans1ered. 'hey 1ere the ogres 1ho &ade the greatest effort to degrade the treas)re of e$istence.after the long dri2e.G?f yo) need anything. 'o *aria. ?n a &o&ent.Q =e knocked at the back door of the caf[. =is hands looked like they 1ere )sed to &aking fists and )sing the&. =e co2ered it by ret)rning to b)siness. G(o) keep these kids in the tr)ck and )nder controlHG <oger de&anded.and appeared to be inti&idated by the tall &anb)t he harbored so&e angst that 1as potentially &ore threatening than the big &anFs bra1ling bra1n.desperate for freedo&. ?t is here.
.G<oger can take yo) to the tr)ck. Feeling this.she reached o)t to to)ch their so)ls. G'hey are 2ery good.a 1o&an ans1ered it.

he saidG=ere. *aria did not cli&b the ra&p into the back of the tr)ck. 'he fo)rth &an 1as an electrician .and no tro)ble-G he co&&anded. 'hen the &other opened their pack and took o)t a plastic container of beans and peppers. All of the& talked abo)t their drea&s of life in the United States. 'he children began to 1hine and co&plain.and soon the air took on the odor of )n1ashed bodies and perspiration.then so sho)ld 1e.G Follo1 &e. 'hey 1ere f)ll of hope.G GAill yo) be alright hereKG he asked solicito)sly.tho)gh it 1as a gentle anony&ity. #2eryone retreated into anony&ity. 'hey 1ere si&ply glad to be going to the United States.Joticing that the back of the tr)ck 1as too high for her to cli&b )p.he dre1 a &etal ra&p o)t of the back of the tr)ck and fastened it into place.they had a fine &eal.there 1as a pitcher of ice 1ater sitting on the bed of the tr)ck. 'he yo)ng co)ple 1ere ne1ly1eds.G G?f yo) need )s. GStay M)iet.and then e2eryone else did like1ise.she asked the&. 'hey 1ere going to be &igrant far& 1orkers. Aho 1o)ld like so&e cheese and breadKG She e$tended the in2itation to e2eryone.along 1ith
. G? ha2e eno)gh to share. 'hree of the &en 1ere brothers.GAo)ld yo) like so&eKG GSi. As the tr)ck filled )p. GYP)edo )sar el baXoKG she reached o)t her spirit to to)ch this 1o&an as she spoke. G@racias. She really did ha2e to relie2e her bladder. She introd)ced herself.the tr)ck began filling )p. 'he h)sband talked to the three brothers abo)t &igrant far& 1ork.1ho 1as holding her sleeping baby.G Aondering 1hy he 1as so concerned for her.1e 1ill be in front.starting 1ith the fa&ily. ?t beca&e hot and st)ffy in the tr)ck. 'he fa&ily did not kno1 1hat they 1ere going to do. After they ate. 'he &other and h)sband spoke M)ietly to each other.<oger fro1ned at the other *e$icans in the tr)ck. Joticing ho1 the children 1ere 1atching her. Bet1een the three. G%ierta&ente-G the 1o&an ans1ered her 1ith a s&ile. Ahen *aria ret)rned.G @rabbing t1o straps. *ay ? )se yo)r bathroo&. As she 1as gro1ing h)ngry. 'hey 1ho hoped to ply his trade across the border.por fa2or-G the boy ans1ered for the& both. G?f yo) are going to share. GSi.*aria and the other first-co&ers fo)nd the&sel2es pressed into the back of the tr)ck. She stood by the back door )ntil the 1o&an ret)rned 1ith the 1ater. G#stZ bien-G *aria told her. G#rnestoHG his &other said.and a stack of tortillas 1rapped in 1a$ paper. had relati2es in Dos Angeles. After po)ring herself a c)p of 1ater.? 1ill. GS]g)e&e. (et.1here there 1as no roo& to sit. 'he brothers and the yo)ng co)ple felt bad that they did not ha2e anything to contrib)te. #2eryone told the& not to 1orry abo)t it. As &ore and &ore people arri2ed.G 'he electrician prod)ced a string of sa)sages and another h)nk of cheese.fe1er and fe1er introd)ctions 1ere &ade.&ello1ed by hospitality and good 1ill. She led her into the back of the caf[.*aria dre1 the bread and cheese o)t of her pack.and ne$t to it a stack of paper c)ps.*aria sat do1n by the &other. Det &e p)ll o)t the loading ra&p.he co)ld not help nodding considerately to *aria before lea2ing the&.

Finally. She tried to tell herself it 1as ner2es. 'hen she reached o)t and to)ched the others aro)nd her. ?nside the trailer. =is &other had to take hi& o)t of the tr)ck and change his diaper. So&e of the children cried o)t at the darkness. *aria had to )se the la2atory t1ice &ore before they left.it beca&e lo)der and clearer. 'hat 1o)ld be their signal to be M)iet.yet still there 1as this lingering apprehension.the signal ca&e.they 1o)ld ha2e to in2estigate. 'here 1as a collecti2e sigh of relief.the A&ericanos sh)t )p the back of the tr)ck and locked it.they 1ere knit together by feelings of kinship and ca&araderie.it 1as nearly pitch black.they all helped each other to &aintain their balance )ntil they got )sed to the &otion of the tr)ck. 'he baby had a crying fit.1hene2er the tr)ck &ade a t)rn.saying they &)st be 2ery M)iet. *aria heard the A&ericanos cli&b into the cab. So&ething told her she sho)ld get o)t and stay in *e$ico.they responded.right do1n to the yo)ngest baby.the t1o A&ericanos ca&e back and told the& it 1as ti&e to go. <ap-rap-rap. ?n ti&e.to the point they e2en held their breath. 'heir &oods brightened as they realiEed they 1ere finally in the United States.rap-rap-rap.b)t she co)ld not shake the feeling. =e said it 1o)ld take half an ho)r to get to the border. *aria co)ld hear the &en in the cab talking to so&eone.pa)se. 'hen the tr)ck stopped and.they gre1 1eary of standing. *aria p)t a hand on the yo)ng brideFs sho)lder to s)pport herself. 'he electrician took her other ar& to help anchor her. 'hey 1ere all frightened. At last the tr)ck started &o2ing again.and a fe1 of the children cried o)t again. ԇ closed and locked. 'hereafter.and they 1o)ld signal 1hen they reached the crossing by knocking on the 1all of the trailer. 'ho)gh none of the& 1as a1are of ite$cepting her.as e2eryone began to rela$. Slo1ly their spirits Ioined hers and har&ony spread thro)gh the dark trailer. <ap-rap-rap.b)t they 1ere silenced. ?n this 1ay. Before they kne1 it. 'here 1as so&e Iostling aro)nd. =e 1o)ld rap three &ore ti&es after they 1ere safely across the border. Ahile at first it 1as &)ted by fear. *any people lost their footing as the tr)ck began to &o2e.as she stayed foc)sed )pon it. *aria told herself all of her fears 1ere for na)ght.b)t all the sa&e if they heard noise fro& the back of the tr)ck.it 1o)ld take another t1o ho)rs before they 1o)ld reach their destination. As ti&e passed. And all of the&. Se2eral ti&es the tr)ck &o2ed ahead a fe1 feet and then stopped. Fro& there.as it did so. 'he tall one spoke to the& in broken Spanish. 'he ad)lts tried to shift aro)nd to &ake roo& for the& to lie do1n. Ahen he 1as done talking.tho)gh she had no idea 1hat 1as said. (et.as she contin)ed to reach o)t.and their spirits 1ere eclipsed by that fright. =e de&onstrated by rapping his kn)ckles three ti&es on the bed of the trailerthen a pa)se follo1ed by three &ore raps. ?n an effort to erase this &orbid i&age. 'he engine started )p and the tr)ck p)lled o)t.e2eryone 1o)ld reach o)t for the people aro)nd the&.dre1 strength and reass)rance fro& this bond.*aria had a strong As soon as the back of the tr)ck 帀 1as feeling this trip 1as not going to end 1ell. 'hey 1ere o2er the border. A 1orker in the caf[ sho1ed her a spigot on the side of the b)ilding 1here she co)ld 1ash o)t the soiled diaper. 'hey had an arrange&ent 1ith the border g)ard.she reached 1ithin for the feeling tone that 1as her deepest self.it filled her being. '1ice the electrician
. 'he tho)ght occ)rred to her that they 1ere like cattle being transported to the sla)ghter ho)se.e2eryone beca&e silent.other children a&ong the ne1co&ers. 'he children co&plained.

broken only by 1eeping and 1hispered prayers. A h)sh fell o2er the people in the trailer.fear and dis&ay in the people aro)nd her.
.tho)gh it 1as a little &ore cla)strophobic 1ith e2eryone else to1ering o2er her. 'hen she felt so&e e2il presence s1eep thro)gh the trailer. And she felt so&ething &oreso&ething hostile and abhorrently alien.and this ride 1o)ld soon be o2er.trying to see 1hat 1as going on o)t there. She co)ld feel the fear in the people aro)nd her.and the &)rdero)s intent in the people o)tside of the tr)ck.ca)sing eyes to b)rn and throats to scratch. *aria listened. #$ha)st f)&es 1ere co&ing )p thro)gh the floor in the rear of the trailer.GW'ienen f)silesHQ 'hey ha2e g)ns. 'he baby in his fatherFs ar&s cried e2en lo)der. She still had the feeling that she sho)ld ha2e passed )p this partic)lar trip. She heard se2eral e$cla&ations.as tho)gh looking o2er fr)its at a fr)it stand. =e h)gged the baby protecti2ely and looked to1ard the door. *aria co)ld see nothing o2er the people in front of her.b)rying their faces in her hips as they cried. 'his sense of foreboding intensified to the point *aria felt she &)st prepare to flee. As they 1ere assessing that no one 1as h)rt beyond scrapes and br)ises. ?t danced a&ong the&. 'hen they co)ld fill their l)ngs 1ith the clean air of their ne1 ho&e. So&e of the people began to talk in 1hispers abo)t 1hat they 1o)ld do in the US. *aria 1as gi2en a hand by the oldest of the three brothers. #2eryone t)rned to1ard the doors as tho)gh to dise&bark. *aria felt so&ething &ore than &ortal fear en2elop the i&&igrants0 it 1as a rep)gnance and a terror of so&ething 1orse than death. ?n the back of the tr)ck. ?t 1as a relief to her feet and back. 'he trailer beca&e a tangled conf)sion of bodies a&id cries and c)rses. *aria did not need to see. #2ent)allythey ca&e to the end of this ro)gh road.crying.GYDos A&ericanosKG GJo-G the electrician replied. .and she &anaged to sM)eeEe in beside #rnesto and Diana.ho1e2er0 they 1ere in the US. 'he electrician1ho 1as tall eno)gh to see o2er the heads of the others. GY#stZs bienKG he asked her. 'his ti&e 1hen it halted the engine 1as sh)t off. 'he ne$t ho)r stretched on and beca&e t1o.G #rnesto and Diana fle1 to their &o&. GSi.the door of the trailer 1as opened.)i[nKG the father asked as he took the baby fro& his 1ife so she co)ld co&fort her other children.so they had to &ake d)e clinging to her sides. 'he children cl)ng to *aria and cried. 'he tr)ck stopped again. *aria thre1 herself o2er the t1o children sleeping ne$t to her I)st before se2eral people fell on top of the&. Jo one co&plained.s)ggested *aria sho)ld sit.spoke )nder his breath.tho)gh she did not f)lly share their enth)sias&. She 1atched the people aro)nd her M)ail as it to)ched the&. She 1as thinking of getting )p off the floor 1hen the tr)ck screeched to a haltsending those 1ho stood t)&bling. 'heir &other already had her hands f)ll 1ith the baby. 'hey 1ere I)st beginning to reco2er 1hen the tr)ck started &o2ing agains1inging onto a b)&py road. 'he fe1 1ho re&ained on their feet 1ere soon bo)ncing aro)nd the trailer 1ith e2eryone else.*aria and her co&patriots picked the&sel2es )p 1ith &any groans.G Soldiers. 'he second ti&e she agreed.and felt anger.and 1ash the s&oke o)t of their eyes 1ith p)re 1ater. #2eryone 1as shaken. GY. GSoldados.b)t the people in front 1ere not &o2ing and a ne1 shock tra2eled thro)gh the cro1d. 'hen it &ane)2ered aro)nd and backed )p.

she follo1ed the presence as it 1as dra1n o)t of the trailer.2a&osHQ ?t 1as her &other calling to her. 'he leg h)rt. Another body 1as thro1n into the pile0 it 1as the ne1ly1ed girl. 'hen the &assacre began. One had her by the ar&s and the other by the legs. ?n this case. She beca&e di&ly a1are that it 1as the coyotes .at the edge of a pile of bodies. 'his &an 1as already connected to the presence.there 1as an altercation as one of the *e$icans charged the open door of the trailer.it 1as the &an 1ho fed on the presence. And this &an had no so)l.and the pain bro)ght her back to conscio)sness.there 1as a &ale2olent blacknesspo1erf)l and e2il. After that. So instead. 'hey 1ere lo1ering her do1n on pillo1s of air. 'hey cli&bed o)t and ha)led her fro& the tr)ck. 幐 She felt her &other and her brothers close aro)nd her.she felt so&e co&&)nication bet1een the &an and the presence. =er &other and her brothers 1ere 1ith her. #2eryone aro)nd her no1 had so&e filthy tentacle e$tending fro& the& to this presence . 'hese tentacles see&ed to drain their 2ery so)ls. She co)ld not see the baby. She 1as in a ra2ine.*aria 1as a1are of herself cr)&pling as the electricianFs t1itching body fell on top of her. OW*aria. And she kne1 the presence fro& the tr)ck 1as pointing her o)t to the &an. 'here 1as the father.*aria sa1 the soldiers looking do1n at the bodies. Ahere his so)l sho)ld be. At that &o&ent.lea2ing an e&pty dark despair. For a &o&ent. 'he electrician stepped in front of her.the 1a2e of death s1ept thro)gh the trailer. She bit her lips to keep fro& screa&ing at the pain in her leg. As the people closest to the opening fell to the barrage. S)&&onsing all of her strength.shining light. *aria reached o)t 1ith her so)l and felt this e2il presence attach itself to those it to)ched. e2eryone e$cept her. OWAM)]HQ =er &other+s 2oice dre1 her attention to a spot in the side of the ra2ine. 'hen she landed ro)ghly on her back. Along the ri& of the ra2ine. As *aria &ade this disco2ery of a person 1ho 1as e2il to his core.e2en as it &o2ed on. 'he baby fell silent in its fatherFs ar&s.no &atter ho1 &)ch they &ight try to defile it.dra1n to the one 1ho s)&&oned it. 'hey s1)ng her back and forth and then pitched her thro)gh the air. *aria reached o)t 1ith her spirit and tried to se2ere this infernal )&bilical chordb)t fo)nd she co)ld not to)ch it.taking the b)llets that 1o)ld ha2e hit her.she re&e&bered nothing )ntil so&eone p)lled the electricianFs body off of her. As M)ickly and silently
.she str)ggled )p.a 1asho)t 1here she &ight be able to hide. She 1as dead. 'hen the ԇ hail of b)llets reached those aro)nd her.dead already. the A&ericanos 1ho bro)ght the& o2er the border .'he presence approached her and then leapt back as tho)gh repelled.her spirit retreated. She 1as falling. and they 1ere dist)rbed by 1hat happened. One of her legs 1as pinned beneath her as she landed. Ahere e2eryone else harbored a p)re. 'hen the soldiers t)rned a1ay.passing her by.dra1ing o)t their lifeFs energy and in t)rn passing it along to the &an.dropping her across the bed of the trailer. So&ething )p there dre1 their attention. Under this attention.e$cept for one that str)ck her in the sho)lder. Shots rang o)t.at his core this &an had no light.and *aria felt the people in front of her holding their breath and bracing the&sel2es. 'hey ret)rned for her.tho)gh in a different fashion fro& the people in the trailer. *aria had I)st eno)gh ti&e to note the presence 1as no1 feasting off the dying. All of her fello1 i&&igrants lay in this pile.

the roaring and siEEling.she fo)nd herself here.flitting a&ong the still b)rning bodies.the A&ericano coyotes. She follo1ed the dried ri2erbed.still feeding off the bodies piled in the ra2ine. the soldiers. #2ent)ally the people left .and that &an. the light.first on foot. She prayed no one had seen her. 'hen she tried to get a1ay fro& this grisly scene.t)cked safely into a shado1ed recess.as she co)ld. ?t 1as the fire that bro)ght her back this ti&e . *aria closed her eyes and allo1ed herself to lose conscio)sness again as she lay against the side of the 1asho)t. *any of the& 1ere still ali2e as they b)rned. 'hen it faded and at last 2anished. So&eho1.she kne1 it had noted her absence and 1as no1 looking for her.she hobbled a1ay fro& the bodies and t)cked herself into the dark 1asho)t.the heat. Ahen she 1oke. She blacked o)t se2eral ti&es before passing o)t altogether.trying not to 1atch the pyre as it cons)&ed the bodies.
.then cra1ling 1hen the pain in her leg beca&e too &)ch. She opened her eyes to 1atch in horror as the bodies of all those good people 1ere i&&olated. She co)ld feel the e2il presence. 'he e2il presence lingered behind the&. *aria stayed 1here she 1as.no one had.the s&ell of kerosene and b)rning flesh.in this hollo1 earth &o)nd. *aria 1aited )ntil she 1as s)re she 1as alone.frenEied by the energy a2ailable to it.
. And e2idently. 'he e2il presence danced abo)t in the fla&es.

(et. Jo1. 'his realiEation filled her 1ith an$iety.-& 6n the . Frantically.the dances.there 1as no 1ay she co)ld drag herself thro)gh it. *ariaFs reaching spirit recoiled as s)ddenly as a 1indo1 blind snapping )p into its rollca)sing her to gasp for breath and sh)dder as she opened her eyes.shared 1ith her siblings 1hen they 1ere little. Finally. ?n his bed.she did not kno1b)t it 1as a1are of her. Altho)gh she did not kno1 ho1. She 1as alone in this ki2a. She kne1 it 1as protecting her and her baby fro& that other &ale2olent presence that fed off the dying that night in the tr)ck.she ne2er had been tr)ly alone. 'he physical tie bet1een the& 1as beco&ing as ten)o)s as an )&bilical cord. ?t 1as t1o yo)ng &en.she reached o)t 1ith her spirit. Aith this discern&ent. #2en a&ong the other i&&igrants in the tr)ck.no1 1hen she needed it so &)chK Panic 1o)ld break her concentration and cancel her search.seeing her plainly right thro)gh the dirt 1alls of the ki2a.&)ch less cross the )ndo)bted &iles of desert bet1een her and the nearest help.e2en the 1o&en in the factory.hoping so&eho1 they 1o)ld )nderstand her cry for help and respond.*aria kne1 her baby 1as ready to be born.i!a <e2ie1ing her sad history.and she 1as s)re it did so to heal her and protect her.*aria 1ondered 1hy she e2en bothered to go on. *aria took her greatest happiness in sa2oring the s1eetness of life 1ith others. ?f she had spent her entire life th)s far &o2ing fro& one tragedy to another.ca&ping in the desert.1itho)t &edical help.and the e2il &an 1ho fed on that presence.she 1as certain the presence bro)ght her here. Ahy not I)st gi2e )p and &ake this earth &o)nd her gra2eK #$cept.e2en as she sent the& her )rgent plea.she felt the presence of h)&an beings.*aria had felt it as an e$tension of her self.there 1ere &o&ents of happiness interspersed a&ong the s)ffering. Str)ggling to re&ain cal&. *aria reached o)t to her baby and felt it strong and sec)re in her 1o&b.altho)gh they 1ere still tied庠 togetherher baby 1as beco&ing a distinct ԇ being apart fro& her. 'here 1as no one o)t there.and those &o&ents shone in her &e&ory like stars in the sky.not e2en the bene2olent presence that 1as tending to her. 'he &arket.*aria reached o)t farther and farther )ntil her spirit 1as as a thin net thro1n o)t o2er the desert. Before 1aking to find herself in this ki2a. Al1ays before. She felt the 1ar& glo1 of those happy ho)rs. Don *artin at the dance halls and caf[s. For the &ost part. *aria sa1 the i&age of so&e dU&onic eye t)rning to spot her &any &iles across the desert.reaching thro)gh the 1alls of the ki2a to search the co)ntryside for help.ho1 co)ld she e$pect anything different in the f)t)reK She did not e2en 1ish to consider 1hat &ight be the ne$t hardship to strike her do1n. ?ndeed.
. She 1as fa&iliar 1ith this presence.and the fleeting ephe&eral presence 1ith 1hich she co)ld hardly co&&)nicate. =ere there 1as only her and her )nborn child.so closely tied to her it 1as diffic)lt to tell 1here the &other ended and the baby began.her fondest &e&ories 1ere si&ple &o&ents of content&ent.and its approach filled her 1ith dread.1ith their neighbors.. ?t 1as the e2il thing fro& the tr)ck. Ahy it 1as after these t1o.1ith her &other. Ahere co)ld that presence be. She 1as inI)red and in no shape for childbirth.on a ridge &any &iles a1ay.she felt another presence that 1as also ho&ing in on the yo)ng &en. #2en if this earth &o)nd had an opening. *aria felt their spirits and reached o)t to co&&)nicate 1ith the&.it 1as gro1ing 2ery strong and distinct.

?t s1iped at the ki2a 1ith in2isible cla1s.&aterialiEing in the ki2a beside her. 'he dU&on ho2ered aro)nd o)tside the &o)nd. For an instant. She cringed as it h)rtled itself at the earth &o)nd.searching for so&e 1eakness it co)ld e$ploit to gain entrance. OSilencio.and gathered itself for another assa)lt.thinking it 1o)ld be on her in a &o&ent.she tho)ght she had 1et herself.she felt the dU&onic presence charging after her like a raging b)ll. Jo.her 1ater broke. ?nstead.this one no &ore s)ccessf)l than the first.And in that sa&e &o&ent of her instantaneo)s retreat.ti&e it concentrated itself into a single spikeas slender and sharp as a needle0 and 1ith this needle it began drilling on the 1all.*aria co)ld feel it l)lling her to sleep. GJo-G *aria &)r&)red as she dropped off.it 1ore itself o)t and the attack ceased. *aria ca)ght her breath as it did so. ?t 1as o)traged at being so easily repelled.fearing it &ight s)cceed.defiling it as it drained its life a1ay like so&e nectar.tho)gh she fo)ght against it. As &)ch to its s)rprise as to hers.G ? cannot sleep no1.the dU&on contin)ed drilling at the 1all. ?t 1as then that *aria felt the first labor pain.in an effort to tear thro)gh the 1alls and dig its 1ay do1n to her. Ae are 1ith yo).her 1ater had b)rst0 she 1as going into labor.or thro1 itself into the defense of the earthen 1alls.fro& the #arth itself. She felt it foc)sing for another attack on the ki2a. (et it &ade no scratch on the s)rface of the &o)nd. #2ent)ally.nor 1as there any e2idence that she had soiled herself or the gro)nd aro)nd her.little one.the presence 1as deflected by the earth. ?t began h)&&ing that soothing air and. *aria tho)ght it 1o)ld attack the dU&on. O#sta&os con )stedes. =er spirit attendant had done so&ething to take care of the eli&ination of bodily 1astes.GAhora no p)edo dor&ir. 'his . ?t 1as the bene2olent presence.Q @abriela 1hispered to her. Before this realiEation had ti&e to sink in. ?n the backgro)nd.the presence attacked the &o)nd.it t)rned all of its attention to her. She did not recall )rinating or defecating since finding herself in this ki2a. 'hen she felt so&ething rising )p thro)gh the floor of the ki2a. B)t her bladder had not felt f)ll. =)sh.Q
. As the contraction s)bsided. GJo-G she sho)ted defiantly. ?t kne1 she 1as gi2ing birth.peM)eXo.*aria kne1 the dU&onic presence 1as a1are of 1hat 1as happening inside the ki2a. *aria re&e&bered the tentacle reaching into the baby in its fatherFs ar&s. Aorking itself into a terrible frenEy.and it 1anted her baby perhaps &ore than it 1anted her. GWJo tendrZs &i beb[HG 'he presence 1as a&)sed by her protecti2e instincts0 it la)ghed at her.

as nat)re 1as abo)t to be knocked do1n by the neighborhood b)lly.nat)re 1as strangled.she had the eyes.the tips of &y fingers had been sore. 'he a)dience sang of hi& l)rking in the night.losing so&eone dear in the process. Other1ise the fingers 1ill blister and playing 1ill beco&e painf)l. 'hese spirits &ade &e a1are of 1hat 1as going on in their 1orld and o)rs. *)ch of &y a)dience.? 1o)ld fight it again.before an )nseen a)dience of boistero)s spirits 1ho so)ght to aid &e in &y o1n sal2ation. 'hese faces of the past 1aited o)t of sight to greet &e after ? settled )p 1ith the sorro1 of their loss.a &)sician 1ill not be able to play for long )ntil he or she has b)ilt )p a protecti2e layer of callo)s on the sensiti2e tips of the fingers.his the&e 1as chillingly fa&iliar. 'he transition 1as so odd as to be )nnat)ral.? spent the night re&e&bering &y o1n lost yo)th and preparing to face that sa&e dU&on. As <e2erend %hassey and his tr)e belie2ers spent the night preparing for the end ti&es and a1aiting the arri2al of their sa2ior. Ahen ? first started playing.and all of the dancers. As Vach and the residents of Do2eland *anor spent the night b)ilding and reinforcing fortifications.being the long )nheard the&e ? once fo)ght 1ith &y fiddle to sa2e &y so)l. So ? listened to the spirits as they told &e of &y e2il ne&esis and the 1o&an he 1as closing in on. ? e$perienced no s)ch proble&. She 1as a special one. Ahere ? had the ears.b)t ? 1as so 1rapped )p in &y &)sic and &y &e&ories ? tho)ght nothing of it. Jor&ally 1hen picking )p a string instr)&ent after being a1ay fro& it for a length of ti&e.and her child 1o)ld ha2e the &o)th.back 1hen ? 1as a lad.re&e&bering the e2ents of &y yo)th leading )p to the tragedy that ca)sed &e to p)t do1n the fiddle and p)t on the priestFs collar.flying o2er the strings as &y fingers and bo1 recalled t)nes long forgotten or i&pro2ised songs long denied.? spent the night reno)ncing false beliefs and celebrating the res)&ption of &y life.Coda Ahile the sheriff and his &en spent the night chasing fro& one cri&e to the ne$t? spent the night rea1akening long s)b&erged talents and re2i2ing long forgotten drea&s. #2ery1here. A ne1 1orld 1as
. (et there 1ere so&e a&ong &y a)dience 1ho talked of a &ost fo)l sla)ghter and one 1ho escaped. And again later 1hen ? 1as a yo)ng &an. And to &y ears. B)t then the pain 1ent a1ay and the blisters 1ere transfor&ed to callo)s.e2en to the 2ery che&istry of its essence. ?t 1as one of the first children of a ne1 era. She had the ability to see.? spent the night tearing do1n 1alls that had stood far too long blocking &e fro& the tr)th of 1ho ? really 1as.this ti&e being bested by the fiend. 1hat the ?rish called Fairies or 1hat the ?ndians called *anito).and after an ho)r ? felt blisters for&ing on the ends of &y fingers. An )nseen a)dience danced to &y &)sic and )rged &e on in &y re&e&brances&o2ing &e to1ard the c)l&ination of this night. ? fiddled all night. Ahile Ce2in =o1ell and Bobby Deering spent one of the last nights of their 1aning childhood hiding fro& a dU&on. As ? played ? contin)ed to reli2e the 廰ԇpast.consisted of nat)re spirits .and the planet 1as pl)ndered. 'he e2il fiend 1ho 1as responsible for this sla)ghter 1as seeking o)t the &other beca)se she 1as the one person i&&)ne to hi&. B)t ? 1as not ready to reli2e that tragedy I)st yet.a &other ready to bear child. 'hey told &e to 1atch the sky.

? did not try to seek either the yo)ng &other or &y ne&esis again.sitting in an easy chair ? had p)lled o)t into the roo&.e$plorati2e. Jo1 he assa)lted the earth &o)nd. So&eho1 he 1as a)g&ented by dU&ons. ? str)ck hi&.I)st as she 1as gi2ing birth 1ithin. ?n doing so. . And they 1ere also terrified of &y ne&esis. 'his one started o)t as B)ll at the Aagon. ? needed to rest &y sore fingers and stretch &y ar&s.playing &y fiddle to the shado1s. =e had beco&e a dU&on hi&self.hard.not the other 1ay aro)nd.of one 1ho gloated on 1hat 1as to co&eone 1ho indeed fed )pon it.looking for help. *ost of the key players of o)r history are no1 in place. 'he sheriff trying to cope 1ith a to1n that is collapsing aro)nd hi&. On &y fiddle ? rode thro)gh the desert night. all the the&es so sad for 1hat 1as abo)t to happen.? picked )p fiddle and bo1 again and co&&enced another t)ne. 'hat e2il one tasted their fear and it dre1 his attention to the&. Do1n he 1entback to gro)nd 1ith a good headache for his tro)bles.? o2ertook hi& and toppled hi&. For no1. =e 1as stronger and &ore e2il than e2er.striking the& do1n 1hile they 1ere &ost s)sceptible.this child and others to follo1 1o)ld be born 1holly of this 1orld. 'he &other seeking false sal2ation in her o1n conf)sed fear.
.this e$ercise 1ore &e o)t.he sa1 her. ? str)ck hi& fast and M)ick 1ith an h)ndred little blo1s that broke apart the chords of his the&e.feeling for neighboring the&es. (et there 1as that discordant the&e. ? 1as back in &y st)dy in the &iddle of the night. 'his ne$t e$c)rsion led into the past. And no1 he 1as loose in the night. And then str)ck hi& again. S)rprised.and fall )pon &other and child. 'he yo)ng &other 1as tra2eling as 1ell. ?ncreasing &y speed.h)nting in the desert.to)ching all of the the&es aro)nd &e .1e &)st lea2e the& to their 2ario)s dile&&as. ?f 1e co)ld pre2ent o)r dU&ons fro& destroying it all.)ntil he gre1 so diEEy he co)ld not stay on his feet. B)t let )s step a1ay fro& &y story for a &o&ent.back to &y defeat by that e2il one. At the speed of hi& nettled on all sides.? played M)iet.abo)t to be born. ?f nothing 1as donethey 1o)ld be lost. And 1here the rest of )s 1o)ld step into this 1orld fro& the oldbearing 1ith )s o)r baggage. 'he boys hiding in the desert fro& a dU&on that has already tracked the& by the scent of their fear.? shot forth a &elodic line that left ? sprang into &otion.boys fro& =eater.and she at once fled thro)gh the night straight back to 1here she 1as hidden in an earth &o)nd. For &yself. ? ran circles aro)nd hi& and he ga2e chase. And so ? left 1itho)t being able to check and &ake s)re &other and baby 1ere safe. ? didnFt 1ait to introd)ce &yself. Stretching &y bo1. Only no1 there 1as so&ething different abo)t hi&. Any &o&ent he 1o)ld find his 1ay thro)gh the barrier of rock and soil.&y ne&esis t)rned a1ay fro& his target. 'hey 1o)ld be the ne$t step in the e2ol)tion of o)r species. After stretching and letting o)t a sigh. =e co)ld not belie2e it 1as really &e after all these years. =e 1as in charge.ca)sing his assa)lt on the earth &o)nd to falter. Jot possessed. so)nd. She fo)nd so&eone o)t there. And that 1as &y old ne&esis back after so &any years. ? had seen these boys aro)nd.protected )ntil the e2il one disco2ered her location.

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.b)ried in an earthen ki2a 1ith only the earth spirits to help her.'he trailer park residents preparing for a 2iolent confrontation 1ith federal troops. And the yo)ng &other deli2ering her baby alone.

#lectricity is pro2ided by a bicycle hooked to a s&all generator. %)rrently. At least once per 1eek.locals say yo) can hear hi& playing his fiddle high )p in the &o)ntains.and can so&eti&es be seen tra2eling thro)gh the 1ilderness.&etaphysical fiction. =e also practices sha&anis&.About the Author PD Allen li2es in a cabin in a re&ote section of the Porc)pine *o)ntains in *ichiganFs Upper Penins)la 1ith a fey spirit that ans1ers to the h)&an na&e of #liEabeth.he di2ides his ti&e bet1een *ichigan and So)thern ?ndianali2ing 1ith his lo2ely 1ife.#liEabeth.he tra2els t1enty-fi2e &iles on foot to the nearest cybercafe . =e tra2els aro)nd the UP a great deal.
)ma&e by Eli!abeth $nne Pfeiffer
?n an alternate )ni2erse.flying fro& treetop to treetop.a &)sician and a geologist. 'here he )pdates his blog . =e is also a st)dent of enlighten&ent.
. On clear nights 1hen there is a f)ll &oon.gathering folklore and e$ploring 2ario)s &ysteries.a poet. =e spends his days h)nting.PD Allen is a no2elist.1hich co&e o)t to dance and caper.alche&y and ne1 tho)ght. 'heir cabin is eM)ipped 1ith a hand p)&p to dra1 1ater. 'he ?ndians say he plays for the little *anito). Occasionally he ass)&es the for& of a black panther.
Fiction Complete Tales o da >oopernatural
.inching his 1ay along the path as it is re2ealed to hi&. Of O)r O1n Design. =e is a 1riter of high Sor tr)eT i&agination.a large red fo$ or a ha1k.fishing and foraging. AaltFs Bait and %ybercafe.

*ean1hile.an anthropologist lost in his obsession to pro2e his o1n de&ented theories. ?n the ancient =)ron *o)ntains.<e&e&ber telling spooky stories 1hile sitting aro)nd the ca&pfireK 'ales of da (oopernat)ral co&bines the feel of the oral tradition 1ith &odern sensibilities. ?ncl)des all fo)r no2ellas and three short stories.fears that she 1ill lose hi& fore2er.1ill Andre1 #rickson )nco2er 1hat secrets lie hidden in the absol)te darkness of the ha)nted Da)ghing #agle *ine before they cost hi& his life. 'he stories range fro& the prosaically drea&like to the dist)rbing.a 1orld 1hich looks a lot like the one 1e inhabit b)t is I)st a bit ske1ed 1ith the occasional portal to other di&ensionsappearance of &ythical creat)res.and that of his friendsK >oin hi& on his harro1ing descent into a night&are 1orld car2ed o)t of the ancient basalt of the Ce1eena1 Penins)la. Afraid of the Dark Dra1n on by a contrasting &i$t)re of attraction and rep)lsion.and a &ysterio)s giant 1hile trying to resc)e the &an she cannot stop caring abo)t.cannibalistic Aeendigo.ghosts and &ore. So&e say the ghosts of fallen forests ha)nt the region.1hile others say it is the ghosts of the l)&berIacks 1ho felled the ancient trees.Dilith @ordon. 'he @iant Ciller Fi2e-year-old <ene De%laire e&barks on an ad2ent)re 1ith fairies and a giantkilling d1arf.spirits. 'he Secret Dife of 'rees 'he northern 1oodlands are ho&e to &any strange sights.she enco)nters ghosts. %arl Danda) 1ill soon disco2er the tr)th behind these local legends. Blood *oon %onnie =ill&an follo1s her for&er lo2er into &adness.
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'he B)ck of *)lligan Plains =enry Cincaid enters into a &ythic h)nt that 1ill bring hi& face to face 1ith the Dord of the Ailderness.
.1itho)t a lot of graphic bloodshed or grat)ito)s 2iolence. ?n these tales the a)thor has created a 1orld of &yth and legend.his lo2er. A fe1 speak of enchant&ents e2en &ore &ysterio)s than ghosts&ar2els of the fallen 1ilderness that linger.ha)nting 1oodlands and clai&ing the li2es of solitary h)nters or backpackers.Phil Aa2erly.

b)t bet1een &an and his o1n &indset. AhatFs a yo)ng fiddler to doK Si$teen year old OIib1a <ene De%laire is disill)sioned and alienated fro& the &odern 1orld in 1hich she li2es.practicing the old 1ays and learning to be a sha&an like her @rand&a <ena.ancient st)rgeon seeks to co&&)nicate 1ith Br)ce 'or2aldsbridging the gap bet1een &an and nat)re. She 1o)ld rather play her fiddle. =e Ioins the ar&y along 1ith his friend Skip Je)nan and is shipped to ?raM I)st in ti&e to take part in the raEing of Fall)Iah.he learns po1erf)l lessons abo)t i&perialis&.a dark sha&an.the Blight and a po1erf)l and corr)pted sha&an kno1n
.the horned one riding on a dragon-cat. Stephen finds hi&self the foc)s of a str)ggle bet1een the B)ffalo *aiden and the Beast of Babylon.
Blind giants r)n a&ok. B)t @rand&a <ena kno1s ho1 i&portant it is that the siblings and their &other find the right path. B)t is it already too late for Br)ce to escape his social preconditioningK 'his tale de&onstrates that the greatest str)ggle is not bet1een &an and nat)re.hiding fro& the go2ern&ent and the #ater of So)ls.yo)ng OIib1a ?ndian Stephen De%laire ignores a call to follo1 the <ed Path. Aill he s)r2i2e the in2asion 1ith his so)l and &ind intactor 1ill he follo1 his friend into the darknessK Say ###C to da UP.
Fiddlesticks
.inhabiting the back1ood of *ichiganFs Upper Penins)la.2oracio)s Aeendigo 1ho eat e2erything in sight. Soon the yo)nger De%laires 1ill find the&sel2es in the Aorld Under the Fleshlocked into a &erciless battle to sa2e the =eart of the Ailderness and the Dand Bet1een the Sky Aaters fro& the =orde.On ?ce An enchanted. =er older brother Stephen li2es in the forest. She has dedicated her re&aining days to helping all three of the& open their eyes.the %orr)pted =orde.the nat)re of 1ar and ci2iliEation.eh. ?n the fight for his so)l.characters fro& OIib1a &ythology co&e to life. A Ciller+s Pride O)t of a &isg)ided sense of loyalty. =er &other >)dy 1orries abo)t her children and their inability to co&pro&ise 1ith the do&inant ci2iliEation.and a blight on the Aorld Under the Flesh and the Aorld of the Flesh.

s)b2ersi2e.as the Ogi&a)h.sens)al and spirit)al.de&onic toadies. Aaiting for the Dight *ore f)n than a garbage tr)ck f)ll of Eo&bies.and a fiddlestick.by t)rn.and filled 1ith essential inti&acy and 忠ԇ nonconfor&ity.1aiting for the traffic light to change. 'he %onM)est of Bread A radical tale of a1akening Eo&bies.religio)s Eealots and dri2e by shooters. ?t is a trib)te to Cropotkin.of co)rse.the Aorld of the Flesh. 'he only M)estion is/ 1ho 1ill protect B)gto1n fro& %aptain Aill Po1erK >es)s Freaks
.slapstick.as 1ell as ne1 friends of &yth and legend. >oyride <eady for la)gh-o)t-lo)d ad2ent)reK >oin %aptain Aill Po1er as he tries to sa2e B)gto1n fro& peeping to&s.satirical.s)rreal.told in the first person pl)ral. And it all re2ol2es aro)nd the =eart of the Ailderness.they 1ill ha2e &any ad2ent)res.lyrical.other1orldly.stories that are. And al1ays sti&)lating.a &agical fiddle. Stran(e Attractors
'his 2ol)&e contains ele2en tales fro& the frontier of i&agination.along 1ith e2il clo1ns and the end of the 1orld. Along the 1ay.Ioined by other characters first introd)ced in the 'ales of da (oopernat)ral. Ahat happens 1hen back1oods (oopers &eet the 1orld 1ide 1ebK <e2ol)tion.rabid g)ard dogs. S)rreal.s)rprising. 'hey 1ill find this str)ggle for the Aorld Under the Flesh is also a str)ggle to a1aken the 1orld fro& 1hich they ca&e. Aalt+s Bait and %ybercaf[ A short and M)irky 2ignette abo)t 'rance >orgenson+s atte&pt to bring the t1o horse yooper to1n of Aaters&eet into the age of the internet. ?nto the Jight 'he poet seeks the ill)&ination and freedo& fo)nd in the darkest shado1 of the night.an ar&y of Eo&bies.all of 1hich beset o)r protagonist as he sits in a left t)rn lane.1hich it feat)res.e2il professors.

<yan %hartier co&es to Aaters&eet in search of a pay phone.Father Albert =ayne.an e2il that is linked to 1hat is happening in the sky.'ake a gander at 970s era acid cas)alties. *)rdererFs Sky is the first book of the spec)lati2e. (o) can ne2er o)tr)n that gone gorilla. *ean and Despicable 'his is the definiti2e history of >i& S)&&ers. Song of the Aandering =)nter 'he seM)el to ?nto the Jight. A real trickster o)tla1. =ilario)sly de2io)s. Aill he be able to pass his disco2ery along before he is h)nted do1n hi&selfK
.<obin is.and the &erits of 1hat is considered a good book.tension bet1een l)&ber b)sinesses and ho&esteaders in *ichigan+s Upper Penins)la al&ost ri2aled the range 1ars f)rther 1est. 'he protagonist seeks to e2ade the e2er present =iggs Boson.a dying to1n in a dying ci2iliEation.to their fate and to the fate of the entire 1orld. *ad bo&ber. @one @orilla A biEarre fantasy ad2ent)re.
Murderer’s Sky — 5nder Shattered Skies< "ook %
Under shattered skies.dystopian horror trilogy Under Shattered Skies. Set in a 1orld not too different fro& o)r o1n. 'ro)ble %o&es to 'o1n 'he seM)el to Aalt+s Bait and %ybercaf[. <obin of the =ood =e steals fro& the rich and gi2es to the poor.the far&er+s g)nslinger. 'he 1andering h)nter e2ades p)rs)it as he co&es to )nderstand the inti&ate )nity )nderlying all that e$ists.a 1orld 1here h)&anity has passed the point of no ret)rn in its e$ploitation of the planet.pregnant s)r2i2or *aria DiaE and all of the people of =eater to an e2il as abhorrent as 1hat is happening in the sky o2erhead. >i& S)&&ers 1as at the heart of it.a 1orld 1here the &onster threatening the f)t)re of life on this planet is the sociopathic inclination of its
. ?n the 880s.fifty-se2en illegal i&&igrants are &)rdered o)tside of the to1n of =eater.AriEona. 'heir deaths in a rit)al sacrifice a1aken Sheriff #lliot Pierce.

raining de2astation )pon the to1n of =eater.Ce2in =o1ell.storyline and i&aginationto deli2er the reader into a 1hole ne1 real& of spec)lati2e fiction. Son( o #$istence
. 'he sky er)pts. Albert =ayneSheriff Pierce. 'his cli&actic no2el takes )s to ne1 di&ensions of s)spense.as 1ell as a gli&pse thro)gh the eyes of *artin <oss and his hench&an.b)t only if 1e can o2erco&e isolationist tendencies and achie2e a ne1 degree of e&pathy 1ith the 1orld in 1hich 1e li2e. Mournin( Sky — 5nder Shattered Skies< "ook +
'his is the final book of the Under Shattered Skies trilogy.DU&on Sky.the intrig)e and the terror )p another notchtranscending the plot thro)gh the inter1ea2ing of characters.*aria DiaE and all the other characters str)ggle to s)r2i2efighting against racial hatred.do&inant species.AriEona. And 1e are gi2en o)r first close look at the e2il behind the plot to c)ll the pop)lation thro)gh at&ospheric cataclys&.Eo&bies.the &ilitary and dae&onic forces.:ince <iker.o)r &any characters dra1 ine$orably closer to their fate.and )pon the entire 1orld. ?n the second book of the series. ?s there still a chance to sa2e it allK Perhaps. DU&on Sky takes the s)spense. Daemon Sky — 5nder Shattered Skies< "ook )
'he &)lti-threaded plot of Under Shattered Skies is on the &o2e e2en as the sky itself is on the &o2e. %an that happenK Or are 1e da&ned to co&&it s)icide by ignoranceK Find o)t in Under Shattered Skies.thrills and horror.

the *editations cross frontiers of physics.*andala.PD Allen+s first post . ?n a 1orld 1here po1er is appropriated fro& the &any and co2eted by the fe1=a1k Descending disco2ers that po1er is the innate heritage of e2erything that e$ists. 'he *editations bridge M)ant)& physics.conscio)sness and the relationship bet1een the indi2id)al and the )ni2erse. Jone of )s are 2icti&s.Song of #$istence is filled 1ith )ncharted depths of 1isdo& and enlighten&ent. All of )s are heroes.A Sorro1 of <a2ens.Bell Book and %andle.So)l *ates%reation. 'he first 2ol)&e incl)des riddle. Poetry ?uantum Meditations@ "ook One .the Song of #$istence series.Dandscape.they are a record of a 2oyage thro)gh inner and o)ter )ni2erses.)ant)& *editations no2el.and a &ap for others to follo1. Bea)tif)l and heartbreaking.Dife and =o1 Ae Di2e ?t-
.#ternal <o)nd. A tale of 2isionary fiction.along 1ith co)ntless other s)bIects. So&e of )s are &onsters.So)rce.O)r Song. And the &onsters are ne2er 1hat they appear to be.
.'aois& and her&etic alche&y. =e )ndertakes a &agical M)est to e$plore the tr)e &)sic at the heart of all that e$ists.<elati2ity. A h)nchback and social o)tcast plants the seeds to a1aken e2eryone on a broken 1orld.Sleeping the Drea&er Drea&ed.Sacred @ro2ePassing 'hro)gh. Jone of )s are heroes. 'he &editations had their genesis in a personal crisis and res)lting transfor&ation. 'he si&ple act of reading the &editations is s)fficient to carry the reader along on this 2oyage.and to perfor& this song openly 1here all can share in it.)ant)& *editations is a li2ing 1ork of literat)re capable of lighting a fire in the readerFs &ind and transfor&ing reality.the %reati2ity series.Ab)ndance ?s.#nergy. All of )s are 2icti&s. Along the 1ay. As s)ch.

thro)gh the essence of tho)ght and e&otion.and finding the lo2e and intent that is at the heart of e2erything.and thro)gh yo)r heart.and into the dyna&ic flo1 of energy and a1areness that )nderlies e2erything in the )ni2ersee2erything in the 1akeaday.
愠ԇ
. ?t is an introspecti2e Io)rney thro)gh the depths of the s)bconscio)s.and e2erything in the )nder1orld.A1akening Dragon is abo)t e&po1er&ent.also a1akening to the interconnection of all things.this book contains a 2isionary Io)rney to a1aken the dragon 1ithin and bring its po1er into the 1orld.follo1ed by an e$peri&ental prose narrati2e. 'he first portion of the book consists of a nonlinear song cycle.thro)gh archetypes and the la1s of e$istence. ?t is a story abo)t finding yo)rself.at the heart of the )ni2erse. Based on a sha&anic e$perience.stirring the &agick that lies at yo)r heart.finding yo)r center.

Murderer's Sky

Description

Under shattered skies, fifty-seven illegal immigrants are murdered outside of the town of Heater, Arizona, a dying town in a dying civilization. Their deaths in a ritual sacrifice awaken Sheriff El...

Under shattered skies, fifty-seven illegal immigrants are murdered outside of the town of Heater, Arizona, a dying town in a dying civilization. Their deaths in a ritual sacrifice awaken Sheriff Elliot Pierce, Father Albert Hayne, pregnant survivor Maria Diaz and all of the people of Heater to an evil as abhorrent as what is happening in the sky overhead, an evil that is linked to what is happening in the sky, to their fate and to the fate of the entire world.

Murderer's Sky is the first book of the speculative, dystopian horror trilogy Under Shattered Skies. Set in a world not too different from our own, a world where humanity has passed the point of no return in its exploitation of the planet, a world where the monster threatening the future of life on this planet is the sociopathic inclination of its dominant species. Is there still a chance to save it all? Perhaps, but only if we can overcome isolationist tendencies and achieve a new degree of empathy with the world in which we live. Can that happen? Or are we damned to commit suicide by ignorance? Find out in Under Shattered Skies.

5 Star Review in InD'tale Magazine:

"PD Allen has given the reader a world filled with fear and horror, but hope is in the making. "Murderer's Sky" is exceptionally written, masterfully detailed so that the reader's mind fills with twisted feelings of life amid this hellacious world. Some might say no stone left unturned and that is true for this book! It is gripping, frightening and completely addictive for anyone who loves great horror/thrillers!"Melody PratInD'tale Magazinebit.ly/R6pTaX